Blood in Urine from Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Why Can a UTI Cause Blood in Urine?

Blood in the urine, also known as hematuria (pronounced hee-muh-TOOR-ee-uh) can occur with urinary tract infections (UTIs), but it can also have other causes. A UTI can inflame and irritate the lining of the bladder or another part of the urinary tract, allowing red blood cells to enter the urine. Visible (gross) hematuria may make urine look pink, red, or brown. Microscopic hematuria does not change the urine’s color and is found with a urine test. Red or brown urine is not always caused by blood; some foods and medicines can also change urine color.

Visible blood may appear once or may come and go, and hematuria itself may be painless. Urine color alone can't tell you if blood is really there or what's causing it. Contact your doctor if you see blood in your urine — even a small amount, even just once. Evaluation may include a medical history, physical examination, urinalysis, and urine culture. Based on your test results and risk factors, your doctor may also order blood tests, imaging scans, or an exam of your bladder.

What are the symptoms of a UTI With Blood in the Urine?

Blood in the urine may cause no symptoms by itself. When a UTI is the underlying cause, other symptoms may include:

• Pain or a burning sensation while urinating
• Needing to urinate more often or urgently, sometimes passing only a small amount
• Cloudy urine or urine with a strong or unusual odor
• Pain or pressure in the lower abdomen
• Fever, chills, pain in the side or back below the ribs, nausea, or vomiting, which may signal a kidney infection
• Feeling tired, weak, or generally unwell

How Is it treated?

Blood in the urine should not be assumed to come from a UTI. A healthcare professional can confirm whether an infection is present and consider other causes, such as urinary stones, kidney disease, prostate conditions, injury, or a urinary tract tumor. Treatment depends on the cause.

• Contact a healthcare professional: Call your doctor any time you see blood in your urine. This is true even if you think a UTI is causing it, or if the bleeding has stopped. A urine test may be used to check for blood and infection.
• Use antibiotics only when prescribed: If you have a bacterial UTI, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic. The choice depends on things like where the infection is, how bad your symptoms are, your medical history, and sometimes a urine culture. Take it exactly as directed and complete the prescribed course.
• Follow up if blood persists or returns: Ongoing or recurrent hematuria may require additional evaluation even after UTI symptoms improve.

Call your doctor right away if you have blood in your urine and any of these:

• Fever or chills
• Pain in your side or back, below the ribs
• Nausea or vomiting
• You are pregnant
• You have a weak immune system
• Your symptoms are severe, getting worse, or not improving after treatment

Go to the emergency room right away if you have:

• Confusion
• Fainting
• Trouble urinating or can't urinate at all
• Heavy bleeding or blood clots blocking urine flow
• Severe pain

Do not self-diagnose blood in the urine based on color or UTI symptoms alone. A healthcare professional can determine whether blood is present, identify the cause, and recommend appropriate treatment and follow-up.