Burning when you pee, needing to go often, and cloudy urine can mean a urinary tract infection (UTI). The NHS says UTIs include cystitis, urethritis and kidney infection, and that antibiotics aren’t always needed. Women aged 16 to 64 who aren’t pregnant or breastfeeding can see a pharmacist first; people 65 or over, children 15 or under, men, people with diabetes, pregnant women, back pain under the ribs and blood in urine are reasons for an urgent appointment. Cranberry drinks and cystitis sachets have no evidence of easing symptoms or treating an infection.
1. Antibiotics aren’t always needed. Waiting 48 hours is one option.
2. 65 or over, children, men, pregnancy, diabetes, back pain under the ribs, blood in urine, or no better in 48 hours: urgent appointment.
3. Cranberry drinks and cystitis sachets have no evidence of easing or treating an active infection, says the NHS.
Symptoms — NHS
The NHS lists pain or burning when peeing, needing to go more often or urgently, including at night, cloudy or bloody urine, lower tummy pain or back pain just under the ribs, high temperature or shivering, a temperature below 36°C, and tiredness. Dark or smelly pee may just mean you need more fluids. Children may have a fever, be irritable, refuse feeds, wet themselves or be sick; older people or those with dementia may show sudden confusion (delirium), worse incontinence or new shivering.
Where to go — NHS
| If | Where | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Women 16 to 64, not pregnant or breastfeeding | Pharmacist | A UK pharmacy scheme (our note) |
| 65 or over, children 15 or under | Urgent appointment or 111 | — |
| Men | Urgent appointment or 111 | — |
| Diabetes, pregnancy, weak immunity, a catheter | Urgent appointment or 111 | — |
| Very high or low temperature, shivering | Urgent appointment or 111 | — |
| Lower tummy or back pain under the ribs, blood in urine | Urgent appointment or 111 | May signal kidney infection |
| Worsening fast or no better within 48 hours of treatment | Urgent appointment or 111 | — |
| Recurring — 2 in 6 months or 3 in 12 months | Urgent appointment or 111 | — |
| Confused, drowsy or struggling to speak | A&E or 999 | 119 in Korea |
The NHS says some of these can signal a kidney infection, which can lead to sepsis if untreated.
Self-care and treatment — NHS
| Type | What the NHS says | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Pain, fever | Paracetamol up to 4 times a day | Acetaminophen in Korea |
| Fluids | Rest and drink enough to pass pale urine regularly | — |
| Avoid | Bladder irritants such as fruit juice, coffee and alcohol | — |
| No evidence | Cystitis sachets and cranberry drinks don’t ease symptoms or treat an active infection | Prevention is separate, below |
| Treatment | Self-care advice, painkillers, a short antibiotic course, or waiting 48 hours first | Finish what’s prescribed |
| Recurring | A different antibiotic, low-dose antibiotics for up to 6 months, vaginal oestrogen after menopause, preventive tablets, referral | — |
Prevention — NHS
| Type | What the NHS says | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Do | Wipe front to back; keep the area clean and dry | — |
| Do | Drink plenty, mainly water | — |
| Do | Wash before and after sex; pee soon after sex | — |
| Do | Change nappies or pads promptly; cotton underwear | — |
| Don’t | Scented soap, holding pee in, rushing, tight underwear, lots of alcohol or sugary drinks, spermicidal lube | — |
| If recurring | D-mannose or cranberry products may help. Check with a doctor if pregnant; avoid cranberry with warfarin | Can be high in sugar |
Tummy pain in general is in stomach ache; back pain in back pain.
Checklist
- ☐ Burning, frequency, cloudy urine: suspect a UTI
- ☐ 65+, a child, a man, pregnancy, diabetes, blood or rib-level back pain: get seen
- ☐ Paracetamol, plenty of fluids, no coffee or alcohol
- ☐ Finish antibiotics; no better in 48 hours, go back
- ☐ Confused, drowsy or struggling to speak: 999
Questions that remain
Will cranberry juice cure it?
The NHS says cranberry drinks have no evidence of treating an active infection. Separately it says cranberry products may help prevent recurrence.
An older relative is suddenly confused.
The NHS says UTIs can show as delirium in older people or those with dementia, and that confusion, drowsiness or trouble speaking means 999 or A&E.
Sources
- NHS — Urinary tract infections (UTIs) — source (page shows: reviewed 11 July 2025, next review 11 July 2028; checked 19 October 2026). Symptoms (adults, children, older people), pharmacist, urgent and 999 criteria, kidney infection and sepsis, self-care, treatment, recurrence, causes, prevention.
- Not read. Antibiotic choice and length (not on the page); Korean UTI guidance.
- What we added. The “worth noting” column and the Korean care gloss.
Where to check further
- A GP, urology or gynaecology clinic — for symptoms or frequent recurrence.
Written on 19 October 2026. The content is from the NHS; the glosses are ours.
