Does urinary tract infection cause fever?

Fever is the body’s raised-temperature response to infection. With a urinary tract infection, it may occur with burning urination, urgency, frequent trips to the toilet, cloudy urine, or discomfort low in the abdomen. Fever with chills, pain in the back or side, nausea, or vomiting can indicate involvement of the kidneys and needs prompt assessment. Fever also has many possible causes, so it cannot establish the source by itself.

If you have fever alongside urinary symptoms, contact a clinician for advice. Record when the fever began and any urinary, abdominal, back, or side symptoms. Rest and drink normally unless a healthcare professional has restricted your fluids. Use only fever relief that is suitable for your age, medicines, pregnancy status, and health conditions. Do not take leftover antibiotics; a urine assessment may be needed to choose treatment.

Seek prompt medical care for fever with chills, back or side pain, repeated vomiting, confusion, severe weakness, or difficulty keeping fluids down. Get urgent help if you are faint, have trouble breathing, or cannot pass urine. Pregnant people, children, older adults, and people with kidney disease, diabetes, or reduced immunity should seek medical advice early when fever and urinary symptoms occur.

Could my fever suggest kidney involvement? Should I have a urine test or culture? Which fever-relief options are suitable for me? What changes should lead me to seek urgent reassessment?