Urinary tract infections (UTI’s)

Urinary tract infections (UTI’s) occur when bacteria have a chance to grow in the urethra and bladder. Like any other kind of infection, the longer it goes untreated, the more serious the complications can be. A symptomatic* UTI that goes untreated can eventually lead to kidney damage.

Not all urinary tract symptoms are UTI's, even if they may feel like one. But if you suspect that you have a UTI, contact your doctor immediately – home cures or other remedies cannot, in most cases, eliminate the infection completely.

Signs that you have UTI

A urinary tract infection usually involves a change in your voiding pattern. Signs that you may have a UTI include: 

• Frequent urge to urinate 
• Incontinence 
• A burning sensation when emptying bladder 
• Blood in urine 
• Cloudy, discolored or smelly urine 
• Lower back and abdominal pain 
• Fever 
• Feel generally unwell

If you do get a urinary tract infection, it is easily treated. Contact your healthcare professional as soon as possible.

You can also find additional information in our enCATHopedia Leaflet.

(*Symptomatic: with demonstrative symptoms such as fever, blood in urine, cloudy urine etc.)

Denise's story

Watch Denise talk about how using CIC helped combat her frequent bouts of UTI.