Being able to identify the symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) is just as important as knowing how to prevent them while self-cathing. There are 2 types of UTIs: lower tract, infections of the bladder, and upper tract, infections of the kidney. With bladder infections, the symptoms are often less significant than a kidney infection. With both types of urinary tract infections the urine can have a strong odour, look cloudy, and may contain blood or have a dark colour.
There may be a fever with a simple bladder infection. However a high fever, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, and back pain may indicate a kidney infection.
Children with full urethral sensation may complain of discomfort when self-catheterising, or “cathing” from the irritation and inflammation caused by the infection.
Learn more about how to prevent and treat infections at our Infection Assistance Centre.
