What do urinary tract infections look and feel like?

Author: SCIRE Community Team | Reviewer: Bonnie Nybo | Published: 9 November 2018 | Updated: ~ Nov 9, 2018

The symptoms of UTIs usually consist of whole body symptoms of infection (like fever), changes to urination (such as appearance or odour), or signs that indicate something is wrong below the injury (such as increased muscle spasms or autonomic dysreflexia).

However, UTIs are not always easy to recognize, especially if you don’t have sensation in the area. If you suspect you might have a UTI, contact a health provider as soon as possible.

• Cloudy urine (from pus), dark-coloured or red urine (from blood), or bad-smelling urine
• Fever, chills, tiredness, or a feeling of unease
• More frequent or severe muscle spasms
• Autonomic dysreflexia (in people with injuries above T6)
• Leaking of urine or leakage around the catheter
• Reduced appetite

If you have sensation in the area, you may also experience:

• An urge to urinate often
• Pain or discomfort while emptying the bladder
• Pain in the abdomen or back

Hear Liander’s personal experience with the signs and symptoms of UTIs.

As a part of your regular bladder care, keep an eye out for changes that could indicate a UTI. For example, monitoring changes in the colour or volume of urine emptied may help you detect infections earlier.