Brits urged to 'know the signs' of potentially 'life-threatening' summer illness
Health professionals have sounded the alarm about a potentially "life-threatening" condition that tends to be more prevalent in warmer weather. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging the public to "know the signs" of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
In an announcement shared on X, the UKHSA cautioned: "UTIs can cause life-threatening bloodstream infections, and contribute to antibiotic resistant infections. Untreated they can lead to hospitalisation, sepsis, and in the most serious cases death. Know the signs."
UTIs occur when bacteria enter and infect parts of the urinary system, such as the urethra, bladder, or kidneys. While many lower UTIs may only cause "mild discomfort" and can either clear up on their own or with antibiotics, they have the potential to develop into more serious infections.
The 10 primary symptoms of a UTI to watch out for include:
The NHS also advises that dark or foul-smelling urine could be a sign, noting, "If this is your only symptom, it might be because you've not been drinking enough water".
UTIs tend to be more prevalent during the summer months, often triggered by dehydration. The symptoms can differ based on the individual affected.
In children, symptoms may include:
A high temperature – your child may feel warmer than usual to touch on their neck, back or tummy
General unwellness – babies and young children might appear irritable and may not feed, eat or drink properly
Bedwetting or incontinence
Vomiting
For older, frail individuals who have cognitive issues such as dementia, and for those with a urinary catheter, UTI symptoms may also encompass:
Behavioural changes, such as agitation or confusion (delirium)
Increased urine leakage (incontinence)
New onset of shivering or shaking (rigors)
This warning is particularly pertinent given that statistics indicate older individuals are most severely impacted by UTIs. Data from the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) database reveals nearly 200,000 UTI-related hospital admissions in England during the 2023 to 2023 financial year, covering both community-acquired and hospital-acquired infections.
These admissions accounted for 1.2 million bed days, with an average stay of six days per infection, as reported by the UKHSA. These figures highlight the substantial strain UTIs impose on the elderly and women.
The statistics show that 52.7 per cent of those hospitalised were over the age of 70, and 61.8 per cent were women. Notably, women under 50 are almost five times more likely to be admitted for a UTI than men (24.7 per cent female versus 5.3 per cent male), but this gap lessens after 50, with female admissions at 37.1 per cent compared to 32.9 per cent for males.
The UKHSA said: "This highlights the need for men over 50 to also pay early attention to urinary symptoms and seek treatment that may prevent hospitalisation."
During the period of 2020 to 2021, hospitalisations for UTIs dipped, presumably as an effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, there has been a resurgence in such admissions, witnessing a nine per cent increase in 2023 to 2024 relative to the year before.
Lower your risk
People can reduce their risk of catching a UTI in the first place by:
Drinking enough fluids regularly, especially in hot weather – more trips to the toilet may be needed, but that shouldn't stop you drinking
Avoiding holding pee - go to the toilet as soon as possible when you need to
Washing, or shower daily where possible especially if you suffer from incontinence keep the genital area clean and dry, and check and change leakage of urine pads often
Wiping from front to back after using the toilet to prevent bacteria from spreading
Washing genitals before and after sex
Talking to your healthcare professional if you have frequent UTIs, as they may be able to suggest treatments that could help
If you experience UTI symptoms you should speak to a pharmacist or your GP.
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