What should you know about bloody and cloudy urine?

Cloudiness may come from cells, mucus, crystals, or pus in the urine. Blood can arise anywhere along the urinary tract. A urinary tract infection may cause burning, frequent urination, lower abdominal discomfort, or an unusual smell; a kidney infection can add fever, chills, nausea, or pain in the side or back. Dehydration can make urine darker and more concentrated, but visible blood should not be dismissed as dehydration alone.

Arrange a medical assessment and describe when the change began, whether it happened once or repeatedly, and whether clots, pain, fever, or burning are present. Drink fluids normally unless a clinician has told you to restrict them. Do not take leftover antibiotics, and avoid strenuous activity until you know why the urine changed. A clinician may test a urine sample and decide whether further examination is needed.

Seek urgent care for heavy or persistent bleeding, clots that make urination difficult, severe side or back pain, fever with shaking chills, vomiting, faintness, confusion, or inability to pass urine. A person who is pregnant, has one kidney, uses blood-thinning medicine, or has known kidney disease should seek advice promptly even if symptoms seem limited.

Ask whether the urine needs testing, whether symptoms fit a urinary tract infection or kidney infection, and which warning signs should prompt urgent review. Mention recent periods, exercise, new medicines, stones, or previous urinary infections, because these details can change the assessment.