Symptoms of a bladder infection

Most people who have a bladder infection will have two or more of the following symptoms. Each symptom can range from mild to severe.

• Burning pain with urination (dysuria). This is the most common symptom.
• A frequent urge to urinate (frequency)
• Blood in the urine (hematuria), which may indicate a bladder infection or kidney stone. In rare cases, a fluid-filled sac (cyst) or tumor in the urinary tract will cause blood in the urine. The blood may be present every time you urinate or just from time to time. Note: A red or orange color may also be caused by a medicine, such as phenazopyridine (Pyridium).

Discomfort during urination (dysuria) and a frequent urge to urinate can be symptoms of a health problem that is not directly related to the urinary tract. When only one of these symptoms occurs, it is important to determine whether there is another reason for the symptom.

If you are not pregnant, a day or so of home treatment at the first signs of a bladder infection may prevent the symptoms from getting worse and may clear up the infection. It is particularly important to see a health professional if you are pregnant and have symptoms of a urinary tract infection, even if your symptoms are mild.

If you have had repeated bladder infections, you and your health professional may want to do additional testing to determine the cause of your bladder infections. You also may want to work with your health professional to develop a self-treatment plan so that you can treat symptoms of an infection as soon as they start. It is important that you follow this treatment plan carefully and notify your health professional if the plan does not work.

Call your health professional if you have symptoms of a bladder infection.