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UTI symptoms like burning urination or blood in urine can also signal serious conditions such as bladder or kidney cancer, says Dr. Mohammed Taif Bendigeri.
Experts caution that even a single episode of blood, whether visible to the eye or microscopic can be a potential red flag for bladder cancer.
‘It is one of the most common notions in the community that a burning sensation during urination is always a sign of UTI (urinary tract infection). However, UTI is not the only reason for this symptom,” explains Dr. Mohammed Taif Bendigeri, Senior Consultant Urologist, Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology, Hyderabad.
According to him, while burning sensation in urine is indeed the most frequent symptom of UTI, it requires the presence of other features to be confirmed as an infection. “Typically, UTIs present with lower abdominal pain, increased frequency of urination, fever, flank pain, and occasionally blood in urine. A simple urine test can confirm UTI. Without this confirmation, the diagnosis remains presumptive,” he says.
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Dr. Bendigeri further cautions against the common practice in India of taking over-the-counter medications without consulting a physician. “This puts patients at significant risk of missing other possible causes of these symptoms. It is especially unfortunate when life-threatening ailments like bladder cancer or kidney cancer are overlooked due to presumptive treatment,” he warns.
He points out that chronic burning sensation in urine may sometimes be due to bladder cancer, not just UTI. “Neglecting this symptom as a simple infection can delay diagnosis. Many patients end up in advanced stages of cancer, where treatment outcomes are severely compromised,” he explains.
Similarly, he notes that flank pain with fever or the presence of blood in urine is often attributed to UTI but could, in some cases, indicate kidney cancer. “Avoiding proper evaluation and making a blind presumptive diagnosis can cause major, often irreversible, harm to health. What makes this more concerning is that a simple consultation and basic investigations such as an abdominal ultrasound and urine test could save lives,” says Dr. Bendigeri.
In conclusion, Dr. Bendigeri emphasizes: “Making a presumptive or self-diagnosis of UTI can have serious consequences. Self-medication and over-the-counter drugs for presumed UTIs is like playing with fire. It is always best to consult a physician for any persistent or chronic symptoms, so that proper evaluation and timely treatment can be ensured.”
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Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More
September 10, 2025, 11:01 IST
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