--- title: "Cystitis and urinary tract infections" description: "Spot possible signs of a UTI, find the right care, and understand the warning signs of a kidney infection and what helps prevent UTIs." url: "https://myruva.co/learn/utis-and-cystitis" language: "en-GB" topic: "Sexual health" published: "2026-10-18" updated: "2026-10-19" author: "Ruva team" reading_minutes: 4 --- # Cystitis and urinary tract infections Spot possible signs of a UTI, find the right care, and understand the warning signs of a kidney infection and what helps prevent UTIs. *Written and reviewed by the Ruva team · Updated 2026-10-19 · Sexual health* ## Key points - Cystitis is a bladder infection, one of a wider group called urinary tract infections. - Fever, chills, vomiting or back pain can be signs of a kidney infection and need care soon. - If you’re pregnant and think you have a UTI, get urgent medical advice. - Cranberry products may help prevent some repeat UTIs. They don’t treat an infection you already have. Burning when you pee, a sudden need to go and only a little pee coming out can be signs of a bladder infection. Cystitis is a bladder infection. It’s one of a wider group called urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs can also affect the kidneys. Fever or chills, vomiting, and pain in your back or side need medical care soon. Get medical help for these symptoms before you try another drink or pharmacy product. ## When urinary symptoms need urgent care Go to A&E now in the UK, or an emergency department in the US and elsewhere, if possible UTI symptoms come with confusion, drowsiness or trouble speaking. Contact an urgent GP service or NHS 111 today in the UK, or your doctor or urgent care service elsewhere, if you’re pregnant and think you have a UTI. Do the same for fever or shivering, a very low temperature, vomiting, pain low in your tummy, pain in your back or under the ribs, blood in your pee, or symptoms that get worse quickly. The NHS also advises an urgent check if you think you have a UTI and you have diabetes, a weakened immune system or a urinary catheter. The same applies if you’re aged 65 or older, were assigned male at birth, or your symptoms don’t get better within 48 hours of starting treatment. Infections that keep coming back need checking too. Mention these things when you ask for help, rather than waiting to bring them up at a routine appointment. ## Pharmacy help or a doctor In the UK, NHS advice is to see a pharmacist if you think you have a UTI and you’re a woman or girl aged 16 to 64 who isn’t pregnant or breastfeeding. In England, Pharmacy First includes prescription treatment for eligible urinary infections. The pharmacist can check whether they can help or send you to another service. Ask which service is offered locally. In the US, NIDDK advises contacting a healthcare professional when you get symptoms of a bladder infection. A clinician may test a sample of your pee, though the NHS notes a test isn’t always needed. Treatment depends on the check, and you won’t always need antibiotics. Pee that smells or looks dark doesn’t on its own tell you much. The NHS notes this can happen when you haven’t drunk enough water. Describe any burning, sudden need to go or pain, as well as any change in your pee. ## Treatment and easing discomfort A bladder infection caused by bacteria is often treated with prescribed antibiotics. Follow the instructions and finish the course as prescribed, even if your symptoms settle. Contact your doctor or pharmacist about side effects or if you have trouble taking the medicine. Drinking water can help you stay hydrated. If another health condition limits how much you can drink, ask your clinician what’s right for you. NIDDK also suggests a heat pad on your back or low on your tummy for discomfort. ## Ways to help prevent another UTI UTIs usually start when bacteria from poo get into the urinary tract through the urethra, the tube that carries pee out of the body. Practical tips include drinking enough, wiping from front to back, and taking time to empty your bladder when you need to go. A Cochrane review found that cranberry products may help prevent UTIs with symptoms in women who get them often. Ask your doctor before using cranberry products in pregnancy. The NHS also notes that these products can contain a lot of sugar. There’s no evidence that cranberry drinks or cystitis sachets treat an infection that has already started. If you take warfarin, ask a pharmacist before choosing a cranberry product. NHS advice is to avoid taking them together. ## Getting a plan for repeated symptoms If you keep getting infections, ask your GP or doctor about prevention. Some contraceptives, including spermicide and diaphragms, can raise the risk of bladder infections. During perimenopause or menopause, prescribed vaginal oestrogen may be an option to talk about. If symptoms carry on after UTI treatment, contact your GP or doctor again. NHS advice includes asking about seeing a specialist. Bring any records of tests and treatments, and ask what happens next if symptoms carry on. ## When to get help - **Emergency:** Go to A&E now (UK), or an emergency department (US and elsewhere), if possible UTI symptoms come with confusion, drowsiness or trouble speaking. - **Same day:** Contact an urgent GP service or NHS 111 today (UK), or your doctor or urgent care service (US and elsewhere), for possible UTI symptoms if you’re pregnant, or if they come with fever or shivering, a very low temperature, vomiting, pain low in your tummy or in your back, blood in your pee, or getting worse quickly. Also contact them if you’re aged 65 or older, were assigned male at birth, have diabetes or a weakened immune system, use a urinary catheter, or aren’t getting better within 48 hours of treatment. - **Book an appointment:** Book a GP appointment (UK), or see your doctor (US and elsewhere), to talk about a plan to prevent infections after you’ve had several. A new infection still needs the urgent check described above. ## Where you live Services and advice differ between countries. - **UK:** In England, Pharmacy First can treat eligible urinary infections. NHS advice covers women and girls aged 16 to 64 who are not pregnant or breastfeeding. Ask about local services. - **US:** NIDDK advises contacting a healthcare professional for symptoms of a bladder infection. The check decides whether you need antibiotics. - **Elsewhere:** Elsewhere, contact a local healthcare professional for urinary symptoms, and get urgent care for possible signs of a kidney infection. ## Sources 1. [Urinary tract infections (UTIs)](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/), NHS 2. [How pharmacies can help](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/how-pharmacies-can-help/), NHS 3. [Symptoms & Causes of Bladder Infection in Adults](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-infection-uti-in-adults/symptoms-causes), NIDDK 4. [Treatment for Bladder Infection in Adults](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-infection-uti-in-adults/treatment), NIDDK 5. [Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections](https://www.cochrane.org/evidence/CD001321_cranberries-preventing-urinary-tract-infections), Cochrane 6. [Pharmacy First](https://www.england.nhs.uk/primary-care/pharmacy/pharmacy-services/pharmacy-first/), NHS England --- This guide is general information to help you keep and use your own records. It isn’t medical advice. If you’re worried about a symptom, or something changes suddenly, talk to a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.