How do you know if you have a bladder infection?
You may have a bladder infection if you get any one of the following symptoms:
- You need to pee…a lot!
- It burns when you pee, or you get pain when you pee
- You feel like you need to pee, but then hardly any or no pee comes out
- You have constant pain in the lower part of your stomach area, your lower back, or just above your pubic bone
- You get a full feeling in your rectum like you need to poo
- Your urine is pink, has blood in it, or smells weird, strong, or nasty
- You have a mild fever
- You feel more tired than usual.
Symptoms such as abdominal or back pain, feeling sick or vomiting, a high fever or chills, or cloudy or bloody urine may indicate that the infection has moved from your bladder and into your kidneys. This is very serious, and you should see a doctor right away.
Not everyone has symptoms with a bladder infection; 1 in 5 younger women experience no symptoms at all.
References
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) Planned Parenthood. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/health-and-wellness/urinary-tract-infections-utis
- Urinary tract infection - causes, symptoms, treatment Southern Cross 2020 https://www.southerncross.co.nz/group/medical-library/urinary-tract-infections-symptoms-treatment-prevention
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