Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) — When to Call a Doctor

Fever, flank pain, vomiting, or symptoms in pregnancy or in men need urgent assessment — possible kidney infection (pyelonephritis).

Reading time: 4 minutesUpdated April 2026

UTI (cystitis) is one of the most common infections in women. Most cases respond quickly to antibiotics or self-care, but some need urgent attention.

Typical symptoms

Call 112 or go to ER for:

Clinical history and symptom assessment
Urine dipstick on a mid-stream sample — leukocytes, nitrites, blood
Differential diagnosis (yeast infection, STI, kidney stone, pyelonephritis)
Antibiotic prescription per DEGAM/AWMF guideline (fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin, pivmecillinam — first-line for uncomplicated UTI)
Referral to gynaecologist or urologist if recurrent or complicated
Urine culture ordered if indicated (sent to accredited lab, result within 2–3 days)

Fever, flank pain, vomiting, pregnancy, or symptoms in a man — possible kidney infection, needs urgent assessment.

Yes — after clinical assessment and urine dipstick. First-line: fosfomycin or nitrofurantoin per AWMF guideline.

Not routine for uncomplicated UTI in women. We order culture for complicated cases, recurrent UTI, pregnancy, or male patients.

General information only. Emergency: 112.

Sources: AWMF S3 guideline Uncomplicated UTI, DEGAM.