Can a urinary tract infection cause blood in urine?

Inflammation from an infection can make the bladder or urethra irritated, allowing a small amount of blood to enter the urine. The urine may look pink, red, or brown, or blood may only be found on a urine test. Burning when passing urine, needing to urinate often, urgency, and lower abdominal discomfort can occur at the same time.

Blood in urine has other possible causes, including kidney stones, medicines, kidney problems, or irritation after physical activity. A urinary tract infection cannot be confirmed from appearance alone, so a clinician may use your symptoms and a urine sample to guide the assessment.

Arrange a medical assessment if you can see blood in your urine, even when there is no pain. Drink fluids normally unless a clinician has told you to restrict them, and do not use leftover antibiotics. If treatment is prescribed, take it exactly as directed and finish the course unless the prescriber changes the plan.

Note when the colour change started, whether it happens throughout the urine stream, and whether you have pain, urgency, nausea, or side pain. These details help distinguish bladder symptoms from signs that the kidneys may be involved.

Seek urgent medical care for blood clots, heavy bleeding, inability to pass urine, severe side or back pain, repeated vomiting, confusion, faintness, or feeling severely unwell. Fever or chills with urinary symptoms can need prompt assessment because infection may have moved beyond the bladder.

Ask whether you need a urine test, whether the bleeding could have another cause, how soon symptoms should improve after treatment, and what to do if blood remains after other symptoms settle.