• pressure in the lower pelvis
• urination, painful (dysuria)
• frequent need to urinate (frequency)
• urgent need to urinate (urgency)
• need to urinate at night
• abnormal urine color -- cloudy
• blood in the urine (hematuria)
• foul or strong urine odor

• nausea and vomiting
• fever
• fatigue
• fever
• chills
• mental changes or confusion (Note: In elderly people, mental changes or confusion often are the only signs of a possible urinary tract infection.)

Chronic or recurrent urinary tract infection means one of the following is true:

• Symptoms return two or more times in 6 months
• Symptoms of a single episode last longer than two weeks
• Symptoms last longer than 48 hours after treatment has begun

Tests that may be done include:

• A urinalysis -- commonly reveals white blood cells (WBC) and/or red blood cells (RBC).
• A urine culture (clean catch) or catheterized urine specimen -- may reveal bacteria in the urine. A urine culture that is positive for more than 2 weeks even with treatment indicates chronic or recurrent UTI.
• An abdominal ultrasound or KUB (abdominal X-ray) -- may be needed to evaluate the status of the renal system (kidneys, ureters, and bladder).