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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffUrinary tract infections don't always cause signs and symptoms, but when they do they can include:
- A strong, persistent urge to urinate
- A burning sensation when urinating
- Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
- Urine that appears cloudy
- Urine that appears bright pink or cola colored — a sign of blood in the urine
- Strong-smelling urine
- Pelvic pain, in women
- Rectal pain, in men
Types of urinary tract infection
Each type of urinary tract infection may result in more-specific signs and symptoms, depending on which part of your urinary tract is infected.
| Part of urinary tract affected | Signs and symptoms |
|---|---|
| Kidneys (acute pyelonephritis) |
|
| Bladder (cystitis) |
|
| Urethra (urethritis) |
|
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have signs and symptoms that worry you.
- Schaeffer AJ, et al. Infections of the urinary tract. In: Wein AJ, et al. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/202281144-2/0/1445/0.html. Accessed May 21, 2010.
- Urinary tract infections in adults. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/utiadult/index.htm. Accessed May 21, 2010.
- Lentz GM. Urogynecology: Physiology of micturition, diagnosis of voiding dysfunction, and incontinence: Surgical and nonsurgical treatment. In: Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/202781245-2/0/1524/0.html. Accessed May 25, 2010.
- Urinary tract infections in children. UrologyHealth.org. http://www.urologyhealth.org/pediatric/index.cfm?cat=07&topic=146. Accessed May 25, 2010.
- McPherson RA, et al. Basic examination of urine. In: McPherson RA, et al. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/202781245-4/0/1393/0.html. Accessed May 25, 2010.
- Hooton TM. Recurrent urinary tract infection in women. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 12, 2010.
- Guay DRP. Cranberry and urinary tract infections. Drugs. 2009;69:775.
- Cranberry. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed May 26, 2010.
- Jepson RG, et al. Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections (review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2008;CD001321.
- Coumadin (prescribing information). Princeton, N.J.: Bristol-Myers Squibb; 2010. http://www.coumadin.com/for_hcp.aspx. Accessed May 26, 2010.
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