Can a UTI cause blood in the urine?

Yes. A urinary tract infection (UTI) can cause blood in the urine, particularly when the bladder or urethra is inflamed. Blood may be visible as pink, red, or dark urine, or it may only be detected through a urine test. However, blood in the urine should not automatically be attributed to a UTI because kidney or bladder stones, prostate problems, urinary tract abnormalities and other conditions can also cause hematuria.

Why can a UTI cause blood in the urine?

A UTI can cause inflammation and irritation of the lining of the urinary tract. In some cases, this inflammation can cause small amounts of bleeding, resulting in blood being present in the urine.

Blood in the urine can occur along with other UTI symptoms such as:

• Burning or pain while urinating
• Frequent urination
• Urinary urgency
• Lower abdominal discomfort
• Cloudy or unusually strong-smelling urine

Can blood in the urine be seen with the naked eye?

Yes. Visible blood in the urine is called gross hematuria. The urine may appear pink, red, or brownish depending on the amount of blood and other factors. Sometimes the amount of blood is too small to be seen and is detected only through a urine examination. This is called microscopic hematuria.

Does blood in the urine always mean a UTI?

No. Although UTI is one possible cause, hematuria can have several other causes, including:

• Kidney stones
• Bladder stones
• Enlarged prostate
• Prostate or urinary tract conditions
• Kidney disease
• Urinary tract injury
• Certain medications
• Other conditions affecting the urinary system

This is why persistent or unexplained blood in the urine should be evaluated rather than assuming it is caused by infection.

What if blood remains after UTI treatment?

If blood in the urine continues after the infection has been treated, further evaluation may be appropriate to determine whether another urinary condition is responsible.

This is particularly important when there are recurrent episodes of blood in the urine or when there are additional symptoms such as difficulty passing urine, recurrent infections, severe pain or unexplained weight loss.

When should blood in the urine be evaluated urgently?

Prompt medical assessment is particularly important if blood in the urine occurs with fever, chills, severe back or side pain, vomiting, difficulty passing urine, or feeling seriously unwell.

These symptoms can indicate a more significant urinary infection or another condition requiring timely treatment.

SCI International Hospital

At SCI International Hospital, Dr. Gautam Banga evaluates blood in the urine in the context of the patient's other urinary symptoms and medical history. If a UTI is suspected, appropriate urine testing can help determine whether infection is present.

When hematuria is persistent, recurrent, or accompanied by other urinary problems, the evaluation may also consider underlying causes such as kidney or bladder stones, prostate-related urinary obstruction, or other urological conditions.

Identifying the underlying cause is important so that blood in the urine is not simply attributed to a UTI when another condition may be responsible.