What happens when a UTI goes untreated
Andrew Mccoy
Updated on April 15, 2026
The main danger associated with untreated UTIs is that the infection may spread from the bladder to one or both kidneys. When bacteria attack the kidneys, they can cause damage that will permanently reduce kidney function. In people who already have kidney problems, this can raise the risk of kidney failure.
How long can a UTI go untreated?
How long does a UTI last untreated? Some UTIs will go away on their own in as little as 1 week. However, UTIs that do not go away on their own will only get worse over time. If you think you have a UTI, speak with a doctor about the best course of action.
How do I know if a UTI has spread to my kidneys?
Strong, persistent urge to urinate. Burning sensation or pain when urinating. Nausea and vomiting. Pus or blood in your urine (hematuria)
How do I know if my UTI is serious?
A frequent or intense urge to pee, even though little comes out when you do. Cloudy, dark, bloody, or strange-smelling pee. Feeling tired or shaky. Fever or chills (a sign that the infection may have reached your kidneys)What happens if you don't treat a UTI for months?
Permanent kidney damage. If you don’t treat a UTI, a long-lasting kidney infection can hurt your kidneys forever. It can affect the way your kidneys function and lead to kidney scars, high blood pressure, and other issues. Sometimes it can even be life-threatening. You’ll take antibiotics to treat a kidney infection.
How do I know if my UTI is septic?
- pain near the kidneys, on the lower sides of the back.
- nausea with or without vomiting.
- extreme fatigue.
- reduced urine volume or no urine.
- trouble breathing or rapid breathing.
- confusion or brain fog.
- unusual anxiety levels.
- changes in heart rate, such as palpitations or a rapid heartbeat.
How fast does UTI spread to kidneys?
Symptoms of kidney infection usually appear two days after infection. Your symptoms may vary, depending on your age. Common symptoms include: pain in your abdomen, back, groin, or side.
What can mimic a urinary tract infection?
Sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhea, chlamydia, and mycoplasma) cause symptoms also common in UTIs, such as painful urination and discharge. Vaginitis, caused by bacteria or yeast, can result in a burning sensation when urinating and similar discomfort that may mimic a UTI.Is a UTI a medical emergency?
Please go to an emergency department immediately for symptoms of a urinary tract infection along with any of the following: Fever with severe and sudden shaking (Rigors) Nausea, vomiting, and the inability to keep down clear fluids or medications. If you are pregnant.
What are the stages of UTI?- Sudden and extreme urges to void (pass urine)
- Frequent urges to void.
- Burning, irritation or pain as you void.
- A feeling of not emptying your bladder completely.
- A feeling of pressure in your abdomen or lower back.
- Thick or cloudy urine – it may contain blood.
What color is urine when your kidneys are failing?
Brown, red, or purple urine Kidneys make urine, so when the kidneys are failing, the urine may change. How? You may urinate less often, or in smaller amounts than usual, with dark-colored urine. Your urine may contain blood.
What color is your pee when you have a kidney infection?
Medical conditions. Some liver and kidney disorders and some urinary tract infections can turn urine dark brown.
What does the beginning of a kidney infection feel like?
Symptoms of kidney infection Symptoms of a kidney infection often come on within a few hours. You can feel feverish, shivery, sick and have a pain in your back or side. In addition to feeling unwell like this, you may also have symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) such as cystitis.
Can UTI cause death?
complications of a UTI, which is called sepsis. That’s when the bacteria that cause a bladder infection actually spreads into the bloodstream. And when it spreads into the bloodstream, it can cause what we call multisystem organ failure, and that can lead to death.”
What are the 3 stages of sepsis?
The three stages of sepsis are: sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. When your immune system goes into overdrive in response to an infection, sepsis may develop as a result.
What are the signs that something is wrong with your kidneys?
- You’re more tired, have less energy or are having trouble concentrating. …
- You’re having trouble sleeping. …
- You have dry and itchy skin. …
- You feel the need to urinate more often. …
- You see blood in your urine. …
- Your urine is foamy. …
- You’re experiencing persistent puffiness around your eyes.
How long can you have sepsis before it kills you?
Sepsis is a bigger killer than heart attacks, lung cancer or breast cancer. Sepsis is a bigger killer than heart attacks, lung cancer or breast cancer. The blood infection is a fast killer too.
What are the red flags for sepsis?
Severe breathlessness or sleepiness. It feels like you’re going to die or pass out. Skin mottled or discoloured. An extremely high or a very low temperature; repeated vomiting; seizures; and a rash which doesn’t fade when you press a glass against it are also possible ‘red flags’.
Will Urgent Care treat a UTI?
The good news is that urgent care centers and local walk-in clinics, are an ideal medical option for treating a UTI. Many patients may not realize that urgent care centers can help guide patients through a diagnosis, provide treatment, and continue care through an easily-accessible medical clinic.
When does a UTI require hospitalization?
Although most UTIs can be treated at an urgent care, some symptoms can be a sign of a serious health problem, such as kidney infections, that may warrant an ER visit. These symptoms include: High fever. Shaking and chills.
What does UTI bleeding look like?
It’s “normal for a UTI to cause bloody urine. It happens because the infection-causing bacteria in your urinary tract cause inflammation and irritation to your cells there. Your urine may look pink, red, or cola-colored. If you have bleeding from a UTI, or if you have other UTI symptoms, see your doctor.
Can you have a UTI for months and not know it?
Symptoms of a UTI can vary, and it’s not entirely uncommon for someone to experience no symptoms of a urinary tract infection. It’s estimated that 1 to 5 percent of younger women experience asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB), which is a UTI without the classic symptoms. (This is also called asymptomatic urinary infection.)
What does a UTI smell like?
Urinary tract infection (UTI) A bladder infection or other infection impacting the urinary tract can lead to urine that smells like ammonia. Other symptoms associated with a UTI include: pain when urinating.
Why is my pee black?
Dark urine is most commonly due to dehydration. However, it may be an indicator that excess, unusual, or potentially dangerous waste products are circulating in the body. For example, dark brown urine may indicate liver disease due to the presence of bile in the urine.
Where do you itch with kidney disease?
It can come and go or it may be continuous. It may affect your whole body or be limited to a specific area – usually your back or arms. Itching tends to affects both sides of the body at the same time and may feel internal, like a crawling feeling just below the skin.
Is clear Pee good?
If a person experiences clear urine, they do not usually need to take any further action. Clear urine is a sign of good hydration and a healthy urinary tract. However, if they consistently notice clear urine and also have extreme or unusual thirst, it is best to speak to a doctor.
Why is my pee bright orange after taking AZO?
Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking AZO Urinary Pain Relief. AZO Urinary Pain Relief will most likely darken the color of your urine to an orange or red color. This is a normal effect and is not harmful. Darkened urine may also cause stains to your underwear that may be permanent.
Why is my urine cloudy and foamy?
You might be more likely to have foamy urine if you have a full bladder, which can make your urine stream more forceful and faster. The urine can also get foamy if it’s more concentrated, which can occur due to dehydration or pregnancy. Protein in the urine can also cause foaminess and is usually due to kidney disease.
How can you tell the difference between back pain and kidney pain?
Kidney pain is felt higher and deeper in your body than back pain. You may feel it in the upper half of your back, not the lower part. Unlike back discomfort, it’s felt on one or both sides, usually under your rib cage. It’s often constant.
Where does your back hurt if you have a kidney infection?
The pain of kidney infection may be felt on the sides (flanks) and the back. Unlike the classical back pain due to muscle or bone involvement, which typically affects the lower back, kidney pain is felt higher up and at a greater depth.
What is the difference between a UTI and a kidney infection?
When a person refers to a UTI, they are usually talking about a bladder infection or a lower UTI. Bladder infections are the most common type of UTI. A kidney infection can occur when bacteria, or less often fungi, travel up the urinary tract to infect the kidneys.