1. Take the UTI Quiz
2. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Slideshow Pictures
3. Urinary Incontinence in Women Slideshow Pictures

In this Article

• Urinary tract infection (UTI) introduction
• What are the causes of UTI?
• Who is at risk for UTIs?
• What about recurrent urinary tract infections?
• What about UTIs and pregnancy?
• What are UTI symptoms and signs?
• How is a UTI diagnosed?
• What are UTI home remedies and treatment?
• What are the treatment options for recurrent UTIs in women?
• How are infections in pregnancy treated?
• What are UTI complications and their treatment?
• What about UTIs in men?
• Is there a vaccine to prevent recurrent UTIs?
• Where can I get more information about UTIs?
• Urinary Tract Infection in Adults At A Glance

What are the symptoms of UTI?

Not everyone with a UTI has symptoms, but most people get at least some symptoms. These may include a frequent urge to urinate and a painful, burning feeling in the area of the bladder or urethra during urination. It is not unusual to feel bad all over -- tired, shaky, washed out -- and to feel pain even when not urinating. Often women feel an uncomfortable pressure above the pubic bone, and some men experience a fullness in the rectum. It is common for a person with a urinary infection to complain that, despite the urge to urinate, only a small amount of urine is passed. The urine itself may look milky or cloudy, even reddish if blood is present. Normally, a UTI does not cause fever if it is in the bladder or urethra. A fever may mean that the infection has reached the kidneys. Other symptoms of a kidney infection include pain in the back or side below the ribs, nausea, or vomiting.

In children, symptoms of a urinary infection may be overlooked or attributed to another disorder. A UTI should be considered when a child or infant seems irritable, is not eating normally, has an unexplained fever that does not go away, has incontinence or loose bowels, or is not thriving. Unlike adults, children are more likely to have fever and no other symptoms. This can happen to both boys and girls. The child should be seen by a doctor if there are any questions about these symptoms, especially a change in the child's urinary pattern.