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Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Burning, urgency, frequency. Common and usually treated quickly with antibiotics.

Speak to a GP about urinary tract infection (uti)From £79
A doctor consulting about Urinary tract infection (UTI)

In short

Urinary tract infections are very common, especially in women. Most uncomplicated UTIs respond quickly to a short course of antibiotics. Symptoms in men, in children, or with fever and back pain need prompt assessment.

Overview

What is urinary tract infection (uti)?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection of any part of your urinary system, usually the bladder (this is called cystitis). UTIs are very common in women due to the anatomy of the urethra. They're less common in men but more likely to indicate an underlying cause.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

  • Burning or stinging pain when urinating
  • Frequent or urgent need to urinate, often passing very little
  • Cloudy, dark, or strong-smelling urine
  • Lower belly pain or pressure
  • Blood in the urine (always needs assessment)
  • Feeling generally unwell

When to act

When to see a doctor

Book promptly if symptoms have started recently. Book urgently if you're pregnant, have recurrent UTIs, are male (UTIs in men always need assessment for cause), are over 65, or have any red-flag symptoms below.

When to seek urgent help

Seek urgent help if

  • Fever, chills, or shaking (possible kidney infection , call NHS 111 or A&E)
  • Severe back or flank pain
  • Vomiting or feeling very unwell
  • Confusion (especially in older adults)
  • Blood in urine with severe pain
  • UTI symptoms in pregnancy (always treat promptly)

Call 999 for life-threatening emergencies or NHS 111 for urgent non-emergency advice.

Treatment

How a private GP can help

  • Symptom-based assessment following NICE guidelines
  • Urine dip testing where the appointment is in-person
  • Antibiotic prescription where appropriate, following local prescribing guidelines and resistance patterns (commonly nitrofurantoin or trimethoprim for women)
  • Investigation of underlying causes for recurrent UTIs
  • Lifestyle advice on prevention
  • Referral to NHS for further investigation if needed

What we don't do

  • Treat suspected kidney infections (pyelonephritis) , these need NHS 111, A&E, or your NHS GP for safety-netting
  • Long-term antibiotic prophylaxis without specialist input

Pricing

What it costs

An online consultation about urinary tract infection (uti) starts at £79 for a 20-minute video appointment. In-pharmacy consultations are £129 and home visits are £189. Your consultation includes one private prescription if appropriate, and a sick note for work if needed. You pay the pharmacy separately for any medication.

See full pricing breakdown

FAQ

Common questions about urinary tract infection (uti)

How quickly will antibiotics work?
Most people feel better within 24-48 hours of starting antibiotics. If you're not improving after 48 hours, get reassessed.
Why do I keep getting UTIs?
Recurrent UTIs (3+ in a year) can have various causes including anatomy, post-menopausal changes, sexual activity, or rarely an underlying issue needing investigation.
Can men get UTIs?
Yes, but they're less common and always warrant looking for a cause (prostate enlargement, bladder issue, etc).
Can I treat a UTI without antibiotics?
Mild UTIs sometimes clear with fluids and time. But untreated UTIs can spread to the kidneys, so most patients benefit from antibiotic treatment.
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