What are the symptoms of urine infection (uti)?
Symptoms typically start abruptly over a few hours and become steadily uncomfortable.
- Sharp burning, stinging, or painful sensation while passing urine (dysuria)
- Persistent, urgent feeling of needing to urinate frequently with only small drops passed
- Cloudy, murky, or foul-smelling urine
- Lower abdominal pressure, cramping, or pelvic pain
- Feeling that the bladder hasn't emptied completely
- Unexplained fever with crying while urinating in young children
Warning signs: go to hospital at once
These indicate that the infection has travelled upward into the kidneys (pyelonephritis).
- High fever with shaking chills and rigors
- Severe pain in the lower back, flank, or side
- Persistent nausea and vomiting unable to retain oral fluids
- Pink, red, or dark brown blood in the urine (hematuria)
- Confusion, dizziness, or delirium in an elderly patient
Call 108 or go to the nearest emergency department.
The 3 phases of urine infection (uti)
Bladder infection
Burning, frequency, and pelvic discomfort without fever. Highly treatable with short-course targeted antibiotics.
Kidney infection
Fever, back/flank pain, nausea. Requires urgent doctor evaluation and potent antibiotics to protect kidney tissue.
Repeated episodes
More than 2 episodes in 6 months. Needs screening for anatomical issues, diabetes, or kidney stones.
Which test shows urine infection (uti)?
Our in-house laboratory provides rapid urine analysis within 30 minutes.
| Test | Best time | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Urine Routine & Microscopic Examination | Same visit (30 mins) | Detects pus cells (leukocytes), red blood cells, bacteria, and nitrites |
| Urine Culture & Antibiotic Sensitivity | 48 hours | Identifies the exact bacterial organism and which antibiotics will cure it |
| Ultrasound Abdomen & KUB | For recurrent cases | Screens for kidney stones, urinary obstruction, or incomplete bladder emptying |
| Blood Sugar (Fasting & HbA1c) | Same visit | Rules out uncontrolled diabetes as the underlying cause of repeated UTIs |
How is urine infection (uti) treated?
Treatment involves targeted antibiotics chosen according to local bacterial sensitivity, accompanied by urinary alkalisers and high fluid intake.
At Nareddy Care
- Doctor evaluation for adults (Dr. Vishnu) and children (Dr. Bramhini)
- Same-visit urine test in our in-house lab to confirm infection immediately
- Targeted, safe antibiotic prescription avoiding over-medication
- Day-care IV antibiotics for patients with kidney infection or vomiting
- Investigation and management plan for recurrent infections
Do at home
- Drink plenty of plain water (2.5 to 3 liters daily) to flush bacteria out of the urinary tract
- Complete the full antibiotic course, even after the burning sensation stops within 24 hours
- Urinate promptly when the urge arises; do not hold urine for long periods
- Wipe from front to back after using the toilet to avoid introducing bacteria from the bowel
Avoid
- Self-prescribing over-the-counter antibiotic capsules, which promotes multi-drug resistance
- Taking heavy doses of painkillers without drinking water
- Drinking caffeinated beverages, alcohol, and spicy foods that irritate the bladder wall
- Stopping medicine on day two because the burning has disappeared
How to prevent urine infection (uti)
Adequate daily hydration, urinating soon after intercourse, maintaining good genital hygiene, and managing blood sugar levels in diabetic individuals.
Questions people ask
Why are women more prone to urine infections than men?
Women have a shorter urethra located closer to the anus, allowing bacteria to enter the bladder more easily. Adequate hydration and wiping front-to-back help prevent infections.
Can children get urinary tract infections?
Yes. In babies and young children, a UTI often presents simply as an unexplained fever, irritability, or poor feeding without typical burning. A urine test is essential.
Can drinking cranberry juice cure a UTI?
Cranberry juice cannot cure an established bacterial infection. While it may help prevent recurrent episodes in some women, an active UTI requires doctor-prescribed antibiotics.
Adults seeDr. Vishnu Anjan NareddyMD (General Medicine)Children seeDr. Bramhini NareddyMD (Paediatrics)