A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a frequent bacterial infection affecting any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. These infections are especially prevalent, occurring when bacteria, most often Escherichia coli (E. coli), travel up the urethra and multiply in the bladder. Prompt attention is required to prevent potential complications.
Is Bleeding a Symptom of a UTI?
A UTI can cause bleeding, a condition medically termed hematuria, because the bacterial infection creates irritation and inflammation in the lining of the urinary tract. When bacteria invade the urethra or bladder, the body’s immune response causes inflammation. This process increases the permeability of the small blood vessels in the lining, making the vessels fragile and allowing red blood cells to leak into the urine.
The presence of blood may manifest in two different ways, depending on the amount of leakage. Microscopic hematuria involves amounts so small that the blood is not visible to the naked eye and can only be detected during laboratory analysis of the urine. Conversely, gross hematuria means there is enough blood to change the color of the urine. The urine may appear pink, red, or even a brownish, cola-like shade. In cases of simple bladder infections (cystitis), hematuria is a direct consequence of this localized inflammation.
When Bleeding Signals a More Serious Infection
While some blood in the urine can occur with a standard bladder infection, its presence alongside other symptoms may signal a more serious infection that has traveled higher up the urinary tract. An infection confined to the bladder is called cystitis. If the bacteria travel up the ureters to infect the kidneys, the condition becomes pyelonephritis, a more severe infection that requires immediate medical attention.
Bleeding alongside systemic symptoms suggests the infection is affecting the entire body. Signs of a severe infection include a temperature greater than 100.4°F (38°C) and shaking chills. Pain above the waist, specifically in the flank or back region, is a hallmark symptom of pyelonephritis, distinguishing it from the lower abdominal pain of cystitis. Nausea and vomiting may also occur, which can lead to dehydration.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Anyone who notices blood in their urine, whether visible or not, should seek medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause. The diagnostic process begins with a urinalysis, a test that examines the urine for red blood cells, white blood cells, and bacteria. A follow-up urine culture is then performed to identify the specific type of bacteria causing the infection.
Identifying the exact pathogen allows healthcare providers to choose the most effective prescription antibiotic. Simple UTIs, such as cystitis, are treated with a short course of oral antibiotics, often lasting three to seven days. More complicated infections, like pyelonephritis, may require a longer course of antibiotics or intravenous medication.
Hematuria can also be a symptom of conditions other than a UTI, such as kidney stones or certain cancers. Diagnostic testing is necessary to ensure an accurate diagnosis and appropriate resolution.