UTI and Flu-like Symptoms: Know When They Appear Same
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) is an infectious condition that affects your upper and lower urinary tract.
UTIs show various symptoms, from abdominal and lower back pains to a burning sensation while urinating.
Some of the symptoms of UTIs also resemble those shown when dealing with the flu.
The condition exhibits such symptoms when the infection-causing bacteria progress to the kidney and the immune system gets activated to show a response.
This elaborated article will help you understand the UTI and flu-like symptoms that can make you question your disease and how to treat it.
So letâs learn more about those common symptoms!
Which UTI symptoms resemble flu-like symptoms
Here are UTI and flu-like symptoms that appear when the infection-causing bacteria infects the kidneys in the upper urinary tract:
- Fever and chills
- Shivers
- Lower back and abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Dark color urine
Can a UTI cause flu-like symptoms
A Urinary Tract Infection that is limited to your lower urinary tract (urethra and bladder) does not give flu-like symptoms.
However, a person can exhibit flu-like symptoms when the infection spreads to the kidney, also known as Pyelonephritis.
Moreover, after affecting the kidneys, untreated UTI can enter the bloodstream and cause a life-threatening condition called Sepsis that requires a medical emergency.
Therefore, it becomes necessary to consult your doctor and get a proper diagnosis to treat the condition early, as delaying can lead to serious problems.
Can the flu cause a UTI
Since the pathogen behind the flu is a virus and Urinary Tract Infections are caused due to bacterial growth, the flu cannot lead to a UTI.
However, the flu can indirectly increase the risk of a UTI because of dehydration and reduced frequency of urination.
Both these conditions can increase bacterial growth in the urinary tract and bladder and can cause infections.
Nevertheless, NCBI highlighted a case where an uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection occurred immediately following the Influenza B infection.
Still, this close relationship between UTIs and flu-like symptoms needs more research to explain their linking properly.
Can you take a flu vaccine with antibiotics
The answer is yes!
You can take the flu vaccine with antibiotics. Vaccines and antibiotics serve different purposes in the body.
Antibiotics are intended to treat and prevent bacterial infections. On the other hand, vaccines prevent mortality against infectious diseases, including viral diseases.
According to an NCBI report, vaccinating patients at least 65 years of age against Influenza reduces the prescription of common antibiotics used to treat the infections.
The other report states that the use of vaccination and proper diagnosis of Influenza can reduce the use of antibiotics worldwide and decrease the risks of antibiotic resistance.
Conclusion
Urinary Tract Infections are prevalent infectious conditions that are affecting individuals around the world.
The condition shows various symptoms of infecting the lower tracts of the urinary system.
However, when bacteria travel to the kidney and cause infection, the symptoms shown in the person resemble flu-like symptoms.
In this case, the flu-like symptoms are fever, shivers, chills, nausea, vomiting, back pain, dizziness, increased heartbeat, and changes in urine pigmentation.
Although the flu cannot cause UTIs, it can increase the risk of developing UTIs due to less water intake and reduced frequency of urination.
Moreover, since vaccines and antibiotics serve different purposes in a body, you can take a flu vaccine with antibiotics.
Still, it is advised to consult your doctor before administering them to avoid any serious complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you give a flu vaccine to a pregnant woman?
You can provide the vaccine to a pregnant woman in the second and third trimesters. It is safe and well-studied for both pregnant women and the fetus. However, it is recommended to consult your healthcare professional before administering vaccines to avoid any serious complications to health.
Can a bad UTI cause to have flu-like symptoms?
UTI shows flu-like symptoms when the bacteria from the lower urinary tract travels up to the kidney and causes infection. This condition is called Pyelonephritis. The symptoms that appear are fever, chills, shivers, pain in the abdominal region, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. You can consult your doctor and seek treatment.
Can an untreated UTI cause flu-like symptoms?
Yes, an untreated UTI can cause flu-like symptoms. It happens when the infection-causing bacteria travels from the lower urinary tract to the kidneys and infects them also. Your body shows symptoms like shivers, fever, and back and abdominal pain in that condition.
Can a UTI or kidney infection cause flu-like symptoms?
When a urinary tract infection travels up to the kidneys and infects them, it also causes kidney infection. Your body can show various flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, shivers, lower back and abdomen pain, dizziness, vomiting, and nausea. You can consult your doctor and seek medical treatment.
What are the flu-like symptoms of UTI?
The flu-like symptoms of UTI are fever, chills, shivers, lower and abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, confusion, dizziness, etc. On noticing any of these symptoms, consult your doctor and seek medical treatment. It indicates that the bacteria has also infected your kidneys and can lead to serious problems.
WowRx uses only high-quality sources while writing our articles. Please read our content information policy to know more about how we keep our content reliable and trustworthy.
