Anyone who has ever had aurinary tract infection(UTI) knows how frustrating and uncomfortable it can be.
If the infection moves from the bladder to the kidneys, the condition can get worse.
It can trigger severe back pain, nausea, vomiting, and, in rare cases, kidney damage.
© Verywell, 2018
And, it’s not just adults who can be affected.
Newborns and children can also get UTIs.
Those occurring in the elderly can sometimes be life-threatening.
This article discusses UTI symptoms, signs of complications, and when to see a doctor.
When symptoms appear, they often start with a dull ache or discomfort in the pelvis or urethra.
Pyelonephritis can cause systemic (all-body) symptoms that are not only more apparent but frequently debilitating.
In contrast, the signs of a UTI in toddlers and younger children will be more characteristic.
These may be accompanied by lower abdominal pain or strong-smelling urine.
A child may only become symptomatic when sepsis (also referred to asurosepsis) develops.
Sepsis is always considered a medical emergency.
The infection may only become apparent when urosepsis starts to affect the brain and other vital organs.
However, you shouldn’t avoid seeing a healthcare provider to get a urine test or start treatment.
Without exception, any symptoms suggestive of sepsis should be treated as a medical emergency.
This is especially true in babies and the elderly.
Call 911 for any severe symptoms that might indicate sepsis, a life-threatening condition.
An upper urinary tract infection, or kidney infection, can cause symptoms that affect the whole body.
Babies and the elderly can have UTIs, but they may not show the classic symptoms.
If you suspect a UTI, contact your doctor for a diagnosis.
Call 911 for any signs of sepsis, a whole-body inflammatory response that can be life-threatening.
The infection may spread to the kidneys, blood, and other parts of your body.
It can potentially be deadly.
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