What can happen if a urinary tract infection goes untreated?

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.

What are the worst side effects of a UTI?

Complications of a UTI may include:

• Recurrent infections, especially in women who experience two or more UTIs in a six-month period or four or more within a year.
• Permanent kidney damage from an acute or chronic kidney infection (pyelonephritis) due to an untreated UTI .

How does a UTI affect the whole body?

Untreated urinary tract infections may spread to the kidney, causing more pain and illness. It can also cause sepsis. The term urosepsis describes sepsis caused by a UTI. Sometimes incorrectly called blood poisoning, sepsis is the body’s often deadly response to infection or injury.

Can a UTI affect other parts of the body?

If treated right away, a UTI is not likely to damage your urinary tract. But if your UTI is not treated, the infection can spread to the kidneys and other parts of your body. The most common symptoms of kidney infection are fever and pain in the back where the kidneys are located.

Does a UTI make you tired?

Fatigue is a generic symptom that you may not associate with a UTI, but it’s a classic sign of an infection. Many women experience fatigue before other symptoms of a UTI appear.

Can a UTI make you feel weird?

Not everyone with a UTI has symptoms, but most people have at least one. Symptons may include a frequent urge to urinate and a painful, burning feeling in the area of the bladder or urethra during urination. It is not unusual to feel bad all over—tired, shaky, washed out—and to feel pain even when not urinating.

Can a UTI make you tired and weak?

Can a UTI cause flu symptoms?

Fever and Chills A UTI that’s limited to your lower urinary tract usually doesn’t cause flu-like symptoms, but when it spreads to your kidneys, your body’s immune system tends to kick into higher gear. Pain caused by a kidney infection can range from mild to severe.

Does a UTI make your body ache?

By visiting with a doctor right away, you can start antibiotics before the infection spreads. According to Bindi Shukla, MD, an urgent care doctor at Duke Urgent Care Croasdaile, “If you think you may have signs of a UTI and develop body aches or lower abdominal pain, you should see a doctor soon.”

Does UTI cause weakness in legs?

When a UTI occurs, the infection can cause low blood pressure which can result in dizziness or a feeling of being lightheaded. Severe infections can also cause weak muscles, leading to an inability to stand without assistance.

What part of the body hurts when you have UTI?

A UTI can involve any part of your urinary system, including the urethra, ureters, bladder and kidneys. Symptoms typically include needing to urinate often, having pain when urinating and feeling pain in your side or lower back. Most UTIs can be treated with an antibiotic.