Symptoms

These cause intense discomfort when urinating, generally associated with a high urination frequency. 

Urethritis usually causes purulent fluid to be released through the urethra.

Although not always, the germs responsible are often sexually transmitted (venereal diseases). 

Cloudy urine is common in cystitis. 

Both urethritis and cystitis, in women, do not produce fever, given the lack of solid organs at that level.

Suprapubic (above the pubis) pain is also common in cystitis. 

In men, this leads to increased urination frequency, pain and fever. The presence of cystitis in men is anecdotal, except in the case of patients who do not have a prostate (due to undergoing a radical prostatectomy for cancer). 

The arrival of germs in the male bladder almost always leads to infection of the prostate, and this causes fever. This also leads to the possibility of germs entering the blood, and the attendant risk of septicaemia. 

Germs that reach the kidney, ascending through the ureters, can cause pyelonephritis. In these cases, back pain, high fever and chills are common. 

When the kidney becomes infected, it increases the possibility of germs entering the blood, which can cause septicaemia (infection of the blood). Therefore, if pyelonephritis is not treated, serious complications (such as a kidney abscess or septic shock) can occur. 

In men, the epididymis (a part of the testicle) or the entire testicle can be infected. Epididymitis or orchiepididymitis cause severe pain and enlargement in the testicle, as well as fever. In many cases, there are prostatitis symptoms beforehand.

Urinary sepsis can lead to septic shock. This is a serious and life-threatening disease, especially in vulnerable patients such as the immunosuppressed, the elderly or those admitted to ICUs. The severity depends largely on the state of the person, the type of infection and the aggressiveness (virulence) of the microorganism. In this case, strong antibiotics are given and checks are made to rule out causes such as an obstructed and infected urinary tract or an abscess.