Symptoms

A UTI causes inflammation in the lining of your urinary tract. The inflammation may cause the following problems:

• Pain in your flank, abdomen, pelvic area or lower back.
• Pressure in the lower part of your pelvis.
• Cloudy, foul-smelling pee.
• Urinary incontinence.
• Frequent urination.
• Urge incontinence.
• Pain when you pee (dysuria).
• Blood in your pee (hematuria).

Other UTI-associated symptoms may include:

• Pain in your penis.
• Feeling extremely tired (fatigue).
• Fever.
• Chills.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Mental changes or confusion.

Causes

Microorganisms — usually bacteria — cause urinary tract infections. They typically enter through your urethra and may infect your bladder. The infection can also travel up from your bladder through your ureters and eventually infect your kidneys.

Treatments

The best thing to do for a urinary tract infection is to see a healthcare provider. You need antibiotics to treat a UTI. Your provider will select an antibiotic that works best against the bacteria responsible for your infection.