Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder, and its common symptoms include:
- Pain, stinging or burning sensation during urination
- Urinary frequency: needing to urinate more often than usual
- Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
- Pain low down in your tummy
- Urgency: a strong and sudden urge to urinate
- Blood in the urine (hematuria)
- Feeling fatigued or generally unwell
- Low-grade fever
Symptoms in young children may also include:
- A high temperature – they feel hotter than usual if you touch their neck, back or tummy
- Wetting themselves
- Reduced appetite and being sick
- Weakness and irritability
In older, frail people with cognitive impairment (such as dementia) and people with a urinary catheter, symptoms may also include:
- Changes in behaviour, such as acting confused or agitated (delirium)
- Wetting themselves more than usual
- Shivering or shaking (rigors)
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor to determine the cause and appropriate treatment. Additionally, get medical help right away if you have signs and symptoms common to a kidney infection. These include:
- Back or side pain
- Fever and chills
- Nausea and vomiting