RFSymptoms: Safety netting advice
AdultsUrinary tract infection
DATE LAST REVIEWED: 05/11/2026
When to seek further review
- Contact the GP or treating pharmacist if symptoms are worsening or have not started to improve within 48 hours of treatment.
- Get urgent advice today for fever, shaking chills, back or side pain, vomiting, blood in the pee or difficulty peeing.
- Get urgent advice for possible urine infection during pregnancy, in men, in people aged 65 or over, or with a catheter, diabetes or weakened immune defences.
- Keep any urine-test or follow-up plan. Arrange GP review if infections recur or blood in the pee remains after treatment.
- Do not wait for the suggested review time if symptoms become worse, new symptoms appear, or you are worried.
- If you need medical advice and are unsure which service can help, call NHS 111. This includes when your GP is closed or you cannot get the help you need. NHS 111 can direct you to an appropriate local service. You can call even if you are not sure whether symptoms are serious.
When to get emergency help
(Immediately dial 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department)
- New confusion, severe drowsiness or difficulty speaking.
- Being unable to pee at all, especially with lower tummy pain or swelling.
- Severe or rapidly worsening side, back or tummy pain with severe illness.
- Repeated vomiting with marked weakness, collapse, or inability to keep fluids down.
- Shaking chills with rapid breathing, cold clammy skin or rapid deterioration.
- Severe difficulty breathing, such as gasping or being unable to speak normally.
- New confusion or not making sense when speaking.
- Being very difficult to wake.
- Collapse or loss of consciousness.
- Blue, grey, unusually pale or blotchy skin or lips, especially when feeling very unwell.
How to spot sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It can get worse quickly. If someone is seriously unwell and may have sepsis, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. Do not wait for every sign, a high temperature or a rash.
An unwell child under 5 who has not had a pee or wet nappy for 12 hours needs emergency assessment. If you are unsure and there are no emergency signs, call NHS 111 for advice.
Sources
- NHS - Urinary tract infectionhttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/
- NICE NG109 - Lower urinary tract infectionhttps://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng109/chapter/Recommendations
- NHS - Sepsishttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/
- NHS - When to use NHS 111https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/