Identifying Symptoms

• 1). Do you get a burning sensation when you urinate? When you have a UTI, you might feel the need to urinate often and then feel burning when you do. The bladder is often irritated, so people feel the constant need to go.
  
  
• 2). Do you feel achy? A UTI can give you aches all over, irritation in the lower abdomen and a sense of pressure. Some people feel tired, shaky or have back pain if the infection has spread up toward the kidneys. A kidney stone also can cause an infection if it gets stuck in the kidneys or on its way to the bladder. This causes back and/or side pain and nausea.
  
  
• 3). Check your urine. A UTI can cause urine to look cloudy or milky. If an infection is bad enough, there might be blood in the urine, making it look pink. A kidney stone also can cause blood in the urine, and can even turn urine red. These symptoms mean you need to go to the urgent care or the emergency room right away.
  
  
• 4). Check for a fever. A UTI doesn't always cause a fever, but it can. Children are more likely to have a fever and not as much pain. The elderly tend to show confusion more than other symptoms. It's worth a trip to the doctor if someone is "not feeling right," has a low fever or a sudden change in bathroom habits.
  
  
• 5). Are you feeling pain? Some people won't have any symptoms except sharp or aching pain. Sometimes the infection leads to a sharp pain in the side or lower back.
  
  
• 6). Visit your doctor. If you think you have a UTI, your doctor can test your urine for bacteria, for white blood cells that fight infection, and for blood. It's quick and takes just a visit to get a prescription for antibiotics.