Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and MS
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common MS symptoms. That’s because nerve damage caused by MS stops your bladder emptying like it should. This leaves pee in your bladder where bacteria can grow.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) can happen in:
- your bladder
- your urethra (the pipe your pee comes down)
- your kidneys, if it doesn’t get treated.
These infections must be diagnosed and treated quickly with antibiotics.
Can UTIs make MS symptoms worse?
A UTI can make your MS symptoms worse. In some cases an infection can trigger a full-on relapse. But it’s more common for infections to cause a ‘pseudo-relapse’. This is when MS symptoms get worse, but only until the cause (in this case an infection) is dealt with.
With an actual relapse, the worsening of your symptoms can become permanent. You can usually see a new lesion appear on your MRI scans. This shows that new nerve damage has happened. But when an infection causes a pseudo relapse, there’s no new nerve damage or lesion. Your MS hasn’t got any worse. And the worsening of the symptoms doesn’t last.
Signs and symptoms of a UTI
The symptoms of urinary tract infections are:
- a burning feeling when you pee
- you can’t go even though you feel you need to
- you feel you need to go more than normal
- just a dribble of pee comes out
- your pee is dark, cloudy or has blood in it, or has a bad, ‘fishy’ smell
- you feel pain or tired, or you have a high temperature or chills.
If a UTI isn’t treated fast enough, it could cause sepsis. This is when a life-threatening poisoning of the blood can lead to your vital organs failing.
How to avoid UTIs
The best thing to do is to make sure the reason for your UTIs is being treated as best as it can be. And to get things checked out as soon as you suspect you might have an infection, instead of waiting. These can also help:
-
drinking enough liquids will flush your bladder through. The recommendation is to drink 6 to 8 glasses or cups a day. Drink more in hot weather or when you exercise
-
don't let your pee get too strong. It should be pale yellow. But it’s normal for it to be darker first thing in the morning
-
don't ‘hold on’ for long periods of time. Make sure you know where the nearest toilets are.
Evidence is mixed for drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry tablets. It can help people who don’t have MS avoid bladder infections. But studies in MS found it made no difference.
When to get medical help
If you think you might have the symptoms of a UTI or bladder infection, you must get the help of your GP, MS nurse or other health care professional. They will test your urine and get you the antibiotics you need.
If it turns out you don’t have an infection, no harm is done. But an untreated infection can cause a relapse that could make your MS worse in the long term. Or it could cause sepsis, when bacteria lead to your organs failing. This can be fatal.
Last full review: 1 August 2026
Next review date: 1 August 2029
We also update when we know about important changes.
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