People are being warned to be vigilant as a common infection now sees hundreds of thousands of people admitted to hospital each year.
In fact almost two million people have ended up in hospital after falling ill with a urinary tract infection (UTI) in the past five years. UTIs are extremely common and your likelihood of getting one increases with age.
The illness affects a person's urinary tract, including your bladder UTIs may be treated with antibiotics but these are not always needed.
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Symptoms can include a pain or burning sensation when weeing, needing to go to the toilet more often, and needing to go more urgently than usual. Sufferers may also have cloudy urine, pain in lower abdomen or back, and a high or very low temperature (below 36C).
While UTIs can often be mild, if they spread they can become considerably worse. The surge in hospitalisations has prompted the creation of a new app people can use to check their symptoms and gain access to treatment, if needed.
The Rightdose Self-Test & Treat App allows users to test and treat UTIs from their own homes. People can order tests and antibiotics to their doors.
Anyone with a positive result can update the app and select their medication, pay and receive treatment within 24 hours. NHS guidance states you should see your GP if:
- you have symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) for the first time
- your child has symptoms of a UTI
- you're a man with symptoms of a UTI
- you're pregnant and have symptoms of a UTI
- you're caring for an older, frail person who may have symptoms of a UTI
- you have symptoms of a UTI after surgery
- your symptoms get worse or do not improve within 2 days
- your symptoms come back after treatment
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