2<\/p>\n Brits are being urged to look out for the signs of urinary tract infections (UTIs) to avoid serious health complications occurring<\/p>\n The warning comes from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) which says not to ignore symptoms of urinary tract infections (UTIs)<\/a>.<\/p>\n UTIs can “prove fatal in extreme instances” if the infection spreads, it says. <\/p>\n A UTI is an infection in any part of the urinary system – including the kidneys, ureter (the\u00a0duct\u00a0by which\u00a0urine\u00a0passes from the kidney to the\u00a0bladder), bladder, and urethra (the tube that lets urine leave your bladder and your body). <\/p>\n They’re more common in women than men, and are typically treated with antibiotics<\/a>. <\/p>\n But if UTIs are left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, including kidney infections and potentially permanent kidney damage<\/a>. <\/p>\n Also sepsis, which is a life-threatening reaction to an infection where the immune system mistakenly starts to damage your body’s own tissues and organs.<\/p>\n The UKHSA wrote on X, formerly\u00a0Twitter<\/a>: “Left untreated, #UTIs can escalate into serious bloodstream infections, adding to our antibiotic resistance threat.<\/p>\n “These infections could potentially develop into #sepsis, and prove fatal in extreme instances.<\/p>\n “Recognise the early warning signs.”<\/p>\n Sepsis requires immediate medical attention with antibiotic treatment.<\/p>\n The signs and symptoms of sepsis to look out for, according to The UK Sepsis Trust<\/p>\n Without treatment, the condition can develop into septic shock<\/a>, causing organs to fail, which can be fatal.<\/p>\n The UKHSA warns this could fuel antibiotic resistance, as the bacteria<\/a> may evolve so that common life-saving antibiotics no longer work. <\/p>\n Health experts have warned antibiotic resistance is becoming\u00a0one of the UK’s biggest health risks. <\/p>\n Last year, researchers warned<\/a> more than 39 million people across the world could die from antibiotic-resistant infections over the next 25 years<\/p>\n To avoid these complications, the health agency has therefore urged people to look out for the early signs of a UTI to help manage the infection before it spreads.<\/p>\n Check if it’s a UTI 2<\/p>\n Pain when peeing is one of the signs of a UTI to look out forCredit: Getty<\/p>\n According to the NHS<\/a>, symptoms of a UTI may include: <\/p>\n Pee may also be dark or smell. If this is the only symptom, it could be caused by dehydration. <\/p>\n The health service says women are more prone to UTIs than men because of their shorter urethra.<\/p>\n This means bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys and cause an infection.<\/p>\n Older adults are also at a higher risk, with\u00a0NHS data<\/a>\u00a0showing the majority of hospital admissions involving UTIs were in patients aged 65 and older.<\/p>\n Common things that increase the risk of bacteria getting into the bladder include having sex<\/a>, not drinking enough fluids, not keeping the genital area clean and dry, and an enlarged prostate<\/a>. <\/p>\n How to prevent UTIs<\/p>\n![\"Illustration](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/MR-UTI-10_04_COMP.jpg\")
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