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Under the Pharmacy First service, our team of pharmacists are able to provide you with trusted medical advice and suggest effective treatment options, including prescription-only medicines, without needing to book an appointment with your GP first.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) can affect various parts of the urinary system, including the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body), the bladder, and the kidneys. While UTIs are common and generally not a cause for major concern, you may need antibiotics to ensure the infection is fully cleared.
UTIs are sometimes called bladder or water infections.
If you are male, pregnant, or if your child is showing symptoms of a UTI, it’s important to see your GP promptly.
Symptoms of a UTI
Common symptoms of a UTI include:
- Pain or a burning sensation when urinating
- Feeling the need to urinate more often than usual, especially at night
- Sudden urgency to urinate
- Cloudy, dark, or foul-smelling urine
- Blood in your urine
- Abdominal or back pain
- High fever
- Very low body temperature (below 36°C)
In young children, UTI symptoms may also include vomiting, bedwetting, and general un-wellness. In older adults, additional signs can include confusion, agitation, worsening incontinence, and shaking or shivering.
Do I qualify for a free Pharmacy First UTI appointment?
- Registered GP patients
- Individuals with the symptoms listed above
- Women aged 16-64 years
Who is excluded from a Pharmacy First appointment?
- Pregnant individuals
- Patients with a urinary catheter
- Individuals with recurrent UTIs (2 episodes in the last 6 months or 3 episodes in the last 12 months)
What Causes a UTI?
UTIs are typically caused by bacteria from the digestive tract entering the urinary system. The bacteria travel up the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body, and may infect the bladder or kidneys.
Women are more prone to UTIs because their urethra is shorter than men’s, making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder or kidneys.
Common UTI triggers include:
- Sexual activity
- Blockages in the urinary tract, such as kidney stones
- Conditions that affect bladder emptying, like constipation in children or an enlarged prostate in men
- Weakened immune systems, such as from diabetes or chemotherapy
- Pregnancy
- Having a urinary catheter
- Not drinking enough fluids
How to Prevent a UTI
To reduce your risk of developing a UTI or having recurrent infections:
- Keep the genital area clean and dry
- Wipe from front to back after using the toilet
- Drink plenty of fluids, particularly water
- Urinate as soon as possible after sex
- Clean the vaginal area with water before and after sex
- Change nappies or incontinence pads as soon as they’re soiled
Avoid these practices:
- Holding in urine when you feel the urge
- Rushing through urination—make sure to fully empty your bladder
- Using scented soap or products in the genital area
- Wearing tight or synthetic underwear
- Drinking excessive alcohol (which can irritate the bladder)
- Eating lots of sugary foods or drinks (which can encourage bacterial growth)
- Using spermicidal lube with certain contraceptives, such as condoms
How to Treat a UTI
To relieve the symptoms of a UTI, try:
- Taking painkillers, like paracetamol, to ease pain and reduce fever
- Giving children liquid paracetamol for comfort
- Drinking plenty of fluids to help flush out the infection
- Getting lots of rest
- Avoiding sexual activity while symptomatic
