Signs of sepsis from a UTI (urosepsis) mean the infection is severe, showing worsening UTI symptoms like painful, frequent urination with added signs of systemic illness, such as fever, chills, confusion, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting, or reduced urine output, requiring immediate emergency care. Look for classic UTI signs (painful, frequent, bloody/cloudy urine) escalating into severe symptoms like disorientation, difficulty breathing, or feeling "very unwell".
When sepsis arises from a urinary tract infection (UTI), the signs of sepsis will accompany the original UTI symptoms. These can include a burning sensation during urination, frequent urination or pelvic pain. If the infection spread to the kidneys, it may also cause back pain, fever and confusion.
About sepsis
Early warning signs of sepsis include fever or low temperature, chills, rapid breathing or heart rate, confusion, slurred speech, extreme pain or discomfort, clammy/sweaty skin, and reduced urine output, with children potentially showing fewer wet nappies, vomiting, or a non-fading rash. These symptoms, often appearing after an infection, signal a severe body response and require immediate emergency care, as sepsis can rapidly worsen, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions About UTIs and Sepsis
Progression can occur over 48–72 hours or accelerate in vulnerable residents to within hours once systemic signs appear. Speed depends on host health, pathogen, catheter status, and how quickly staff recognize and treat the infection.
To check yourself for sepsis, watch for a combination of symptoms like fast breathing, confusion, high heart rate, fever/shivering, extreme pain/discomfort, and clammy/blotchy skin, especially if you have an infection; use the TIME acronym (Temperature, Infection, Mental Decline, Essentially Ill, Shortness of Breath); and seek emergency care immediately if you suspect sepsis, as it's a medical emergency.
What are signs that a UTI is getting worse?
At a glance. Sepsis is a fast-moving, life-threatening emergency caused by an extreme immune response to infection. Use TIME: Temperature, Infection, Mental decline, Extremely ill — to recognize sepsis symptoms early. Prevent sepsis by treating infections early, practicing hygiene and staying current on vaccinations.
A consensus conference in 1991 defined “sepsis” as the combination of an infection with two or more features of what was called the “systemic inflammatory response syndrome” (SIRS): altered body temperature, elevated pulse rate, elevated respiratory rate and abnormal white blood cell count6.
Stage 1: Sepsis
A high fever above 101℉ (38℃) or low temperature below 96.8℉ (36℃) A heart rate above 90 beats per minute. A bacterial infection, fungal infection, or viral infection confirmed through positive blood culture results. Rapid breathing rate higher than 20 breaths per minute.
Because sepsis can happen quickly, it is important to be alert for early signs. The most common signs include the following: Source of infection (cough, sore throat, abdominal pain, pain with urination) and fevers. High heart rate.
Screening for sepsis
The sepsis syndrome triad includes infection, the patient's individual response to that infection, and the resulting organ dysfunction.
These infections are most often linked to sepsis:
A UTI becomes an emergency when it causes serious symptoms like high fever, confusion, vomiting, or severe back or side pain. These may be signs the infection has spread to the kidneys or bloodstream. Call 911 or go to the ER if you can't stand, think clearly, or breathe easily.
Dark red/Black urine and blood samples, acute hemolysis, along with the presence of sepsis-induced methemoglobinemia, may be the only early sign of C.
If the infection spreads to your kidneys, symptoms may include: Chills and shaking or night sweats. Fatigue and a general ill feeling. Fever above 101°F (38.3°C)
The vast majority of urinary tract infections do not develop into full-blown sepsis, Sutherland said. But urospesis can happen, especially among older patients or those with compromised immune systems. A UTI is a bacterial or fungal infection along the urinary tract, most commonly in the bladder.
Early warning signs of sepsis include fever or low temperature, chills, rapid breathing or heart rate, confusion, slurred speech, extreme pain or discomfort, clammy/sweaty skin, and reduced urine output, with children potentially showing fewer wet nappies, vomiting, or a non-fading rash. These symptoms, often appearing after an infection, signal a severe body response and require immediate emergency care, as sepsis can rapidly worsen, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Based on the results of this study, presepsin is a superior marker for diagnosis of sepsis as compared to PCT. This study showed the sensitivity of presepsin more than PCT. Even the AUC for presepsin was more than that of both PCT and CRP, which makes the diagnostic accuracy of presepsin the best among PCT and CRP.
Symptoms of sepsis
Sweating for no clear reason. Feeling lightheaded. Shivering. Symptoms specific to the type of infection, such as painful urination from a urinary tract infection or worsening cough from pneumonia.
The evidence behind the “golden hour” protocol
The main finding was that patients who received antibiotics within the first hour of sepsis recognition had a 79.9% chance of survival. It was also found that with every additional hour, the chance of survival decreased by 7.6%.
These conditions include anaphylaxis, gastrointestinal emergency, pulmonary disease, metabolic abnormality, toxin ingestion/withdrawal, vasculitis, and spinal injury.
In mild cases, you might deal with discomfort for about a week or two, but this depends on your immune system's ability to fight off the infection. In other situations, untreated infections can persist for weeks, spreading to the kidneys and causing more severe health issues like pyelonephritis.
Common symptoms of urinary tract infection include: A burning feeling when urinating. A strong urge to urinate that doesn't go away. Urinating often and passing small amounts of urine.
Urosepsis is when a urinary tract infection (UTI) leads to sepsis. Sepsis occurs when your body has a life-threatening response to an infection. It's a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment because it can lead to tissue damage, organ failure or death.