What are the signs and symptoms of a UTI (urinary tract infection)?

Doctor's Answer

This depends on the site of the infection.

The most common site of UTI in a young female is the bladder - this is called cystitis.

Symptoms of cystitis may include one or more the following:

  • Painful burning sensation during urination (Dysuria)
  • Frequent urination (frequency)
  • Difficulty postponing urination (urgency)
  • Pain over the lower abdomen
  • Fever

Signs of Cystitis include tenderness of the lower abdomen when it is pressed.

woman with lower abdomen pain

Infections of the kidney (pyelonephritis) can cause symptoms of:

  • Loin pain (back pain to the left or right of the spine)
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea

Signs of pyelonephritis are tenderness of the loin when pressed (this is called a positive renal punch).

Sometimes, a person may have both cystitis and pyelonephritis, in which case he/she may suffer from a combination of these symptoms.

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