Urinary symptoms with a fever

You will usually have a fever if you have a kidney or prostate infection. You may have a fever if you have a bladder infection, although it is less likely. When a fever is caused by an infection in the urinary tract, other symptoms are usually present as well.

You may need to see a doctor if you have a fever and urinary symptoms such as:

  • Pain in the back just below the rib cage on one side of the body (flank pain).
  • Burning with urination (dysuria) and a frequent urge to urinate (frequency).

You probably do not have a UTI if you have a fever without other urinary symptoms unless you also have high-risk conditions, such as:

  • A tube placed in your bladder to drain urine (catheter).
  • Difficulty communicating, such as after a stroke. In this case, you may not be able to tell anyone about your symptoms.
  • A spinal cord injury.


Author: Jan Nissl, RN, BSLast Updated: May 17, 2007
Medical Review: William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Philip Belitsky, MD, FRCSC - Urology

© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

Click here to learn about Healthwise