Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can affect different parts of your urinary tract, including your bladder (cystitis), urethra (urethritis) or kidneys (kidney infection). Most UTIs can be easily treated with antibiotics.

Check if it's a urinary tract infection (UTI) Symptoms of a UTI include: needing to pee suddenly or more often than usual

pain or a burning sensation when peeing

smelly or cloudy pee

blood in your pee

pain in your lower tummy

feeling tired and unwell

in older people, changes in behaviour such as severe confusion or agitation Important UTI symptoms may be difficult to spot in people with dementia. Children with UTIs may also: appear generally unwell – babies may be irritable, not feed properly and have a high temperature of 37.5C or above

wet the bed or wet themselves

deliberately hold in their pee because it stings

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if: you're a man with symptoms of a UTI

you're pregnant and have symptoms of a UTI

your child has symptoms of a UTI

you're caring for someone elderly who may have a UTI

you have not had a UTI before

you have blood in your pee

your symptoms do not improve within a few days

your symptoms come back after treatment If you have symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI), you can also get treatment from a sexual health clinic. Find a sexual health clinic Information: Coronavirus update: how to contact a GP It's still important to get help from a GP if you need it. To contact your GP surgery: visit their website

use the NHS App

call them Find out about using the NHS during coronavirus Urgent advice: Get advice from 111 now if you have: pain in your sides or lower back

a very high temperature or you feel hot and shivery

felt sick or been sick

diarrhoea These symptoms suggest a kidney infection, which can be serious if it's not treated. 111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one. Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111. Other ways to get help Get an urgent GP appointment A GP may be able to treat you. Ask your GP practice for an urgent appointment. What happens at your appointment You'll be asked about your symptoms and may need to give a urine sample to confirm you have a UTI. A urine test helps to rule out other conditions that might be causing your symptoms. Men are sometimes offered a painless swab test to check for other conditions. This is where a cotton bud is wiped on the tip of the penis and sent for testing. It will not hurt, but may feel uncomfortable.

Treating urinary tract infections (UTIs) Your doctor or nurse may prescribe antibiotics to treat a UTI. Once you start treatment, the symptoms should start to clear up within 5 days in adults and 2 days in children. It's important to finish the whole course of antibiotics, even if you start to feel better. Some people with a severe UTI may be referred to hospital for treatment and tests. You may need to stay for a few days. Hospital treatment is more likely for men and children with a UTI. Treating recurring UTIs If your UTI comes back any time after treatment, you'll usually be prescribed a longer course of antibiotics. If you keep getting UTIs and regularly need treatment, your GP may give you a repeat prescription for antibiotics.

Things you can do yourself Mild urinary tract infections (UTIs) often pass within a few days. To help ease pain while your symptoms clear up: take paracetamol – you can give children liquid paracetamol

place a hot water bottle on your tummy, back or between your thighs

rest and drink plenty of fluids – this helps your body to flush out the bacteria It may also help to avoid having sex until you feel better. You cannot pass a UTI on to your partner, but sex may be uncomfortable. Important Avoid taking NSAIDs like ibuprofen or aspirin if you have a kidney infection. This may increase the risk of kidney problems. Speak to your doctor before you stop taking any prescribed medication.

Causes of urinary tract infections (UTIs) UTIs are usually caused by bacteria from poo entering the urinary tract. The bacteria enter through the tube that carries pee out of the body (urethra). Women have a shorter urethra than men. This means bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys and cause an infection. Causes of UTIs include: pregnancy

conditions that block the urinary tract – such as kidney stones

conditions that make it difficult to fully empty the bladder – such as an enlarged prostate gland in men and constipation in children

urinary catheters (a tube in your bladder used to drain urine)

having a weakened immune system – for example, from type 2 diabetes, chemotherapy or HIV

You cannot always prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) There are some things you can do to try to prevent a UTI. Do wipe from front to back when you go to the toilet

try to fully empty your bladder when you pee

drink plenty of fluids

take showers instead of baths

wear loose cotton underwear

pee as soon as possible after sex

change your baby's or toddler's nappies regularly Don’t do not use perfumed bubble bath, soap or talcum powder

do not hold your pee in if you feel the urge to go

do not wear tight, synthetic underwear, such as nylon

do not wear tight jeans or trousers

do not use condoms or diaphragms with spermicidal lube on them – try non-spermicidal lube or a different type of contraception Natural remedies You could try taking: a supplement called D-mannose

cranberry juice or tablets

a probiotic called lactobacillus Research suggests D-mannose might help prevent UTIs in women who are not pregnant. It's not clear if cranberry products or lactobacillus help. Be aware that D-mannose and cranberry products can contain a lot of sugar.

Information: Social care and support guide If you: need help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability

care for someone regularly because they're ill, elderly or disabled, including family members Our guide to care and support explains your options and where you can get support.