Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect different parts of your urinary tract and include cystitis (bladder infection), urethritis (infection of your urethra) and kidney infection. UTIs may be treated with antibiotics, but they're not always needed.

Symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI)

Symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) may include:

• pain or a burning sensation when peeing (dysuria)

• needing to pee more often than usual

• needing to pee more often than usual during the night (nocturia)

• needing to pee suddenly or more urgently than usual

• pee that looks cloudy

• blood in your pee

• lower tummy pain or pain in your back, just under the ribs

• a high temperature, or feeling hot or cold, and shivery

• a very low temperature below 36C

• feeling tired or weak

Your pee may also be dark or smell. If this is your only symptom, it might be because you've not been drinking enough water.

Symptoms in children

Children with UTIs may also:

• have a high temperature – your child is feeling hotter than usual if you touch their neck, back or tummy

• appear generally unwell – babies and young children may be irritable and not feed, eat or drink properly

• wet the bed or wet themselves

• be sick

Symptoms in older, frail people or people with a urinary catheter

In older, frail people who have problems with memory, learning and concentration (such as dementia), and people with a urinary catheter, symptoms of a UTI may also include:

• changes in behaviour, such as acting agitated or confused (delirium)

• leaking pee (wetting themselves or incontinence) that is worse than usual

• new shivering or shaking (rigors)

See a pharmacist if:

• you think you have a urinary tract infection (UTI) and you are a woman or girl aged between 16 and 64 and are not pregnant or breastfeeding

A pharmacist can give the same medicines as a GP to treat a UTI. They can also give advice or direct you to other medical help.