Blood in Urine: When Is It an Emergency?
Blood in the urine should always be checked by a doctor. Go to the ER now if you cannot pass urine, have severe pain, fever or chills, dizziness, or are passing clots. Call 911 if you feel faint or confused.
If you see blood once, feel well and have no pain, arrange a medical check within a day or so. Do not wait for it to come back.
Need help now? Call 911 for a life-threatening emergency, or reach our 24/7 line.
Key takeaways
- Blood in urine is never normal and should always be checked.
- Unable to pass urine, severe pain, fever or dizziness: go to the ER now.
- Common causes include urine infections and kidney stones, but there are others.
- Red or brown urine is not always blood. Some foods and medicines change urine colour.
- A doctor needs to test the urine to know what is happening.
Pink, red or tea-coloured urine is alarming. Sometimes the blood is only visible under a microscope, and sometimes it is obvious. Either way, it is a reason to see a doctor, because the cause could be anything from a simple infection to a stone or a problem that needs tests. This page helps you decide how fast to be seen and what to tell the doctor.
Is it really blood?
Urine can change colour for other reasons, and a urine test is the only way to be sure.
- Some foods, such as beetroot, and some medicines can turn urine pink, red or brown.
- Very dark urine can also be a sign of dehydration. See dehydration symptoms.
- In women, blood may come from a period rather than from the urine.
What can cause blood in the urine?
Only a doctor can tell which cause applies, but these are the ones commonly discussed.
- A urinary tract infection, often with burning and needing to pass urine often. See UTI symptoms.
- A kidney stone, often with severe pain in the side or back. See kidney stone symptoms.
- An injury to the back, side or lower belly.
- Enlarged prostate, kidney or bladder conditions, and some medicines including blood thinners.
What should I do and tell the doctor?
- Note the colour, whether it is once or repeated, and whether you pass clots.
- Mention any pain, burning, fever, recent injury, new medicines or blood thinners.
- Do not delay a check because the urine looks clear again; the cause may still be there.
- Drink fluids normally unless a doctor tells you otherwise.
Blood in urine: what could it mean?
| What it may be | Typical signs | How urgent | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urine infection | Burning, urgency, cloudy or smelly urine | Same day | See a doctor; ER if fever or loin pain |
| Kidney stone | Severe pain in side or back that comes in waves, nausea | Urgent | Go to the ER |
| Unable to pass urine | Painful full bladder, only drops, clots | Immediate | Go to the ER now |
| Painless blood, feeling well | One-off or repeated pink or red urine, no pain | Within a day or so | Arrange a medical check and urine test |
When is this an emergency?
Call 911 or go to the ER now if:
- You cannot pass urine, or only drops come out.
- Passing blood clots.
- Severe pain in the side, back or lower belly.
- Fever, chills or shaking with blood in the urine.
- Dizziness, fainting, pale skin or a fast heartbeat.
- Blood in urine after an injury to the back, side or belly.
- Heavy bleeding in a person taking blood-thinning medicine.
Do any of these match? For a life-threatening emergency call 911. For other urgent problems, our Dabouq emergency department is open 24/7.
See a doctor the same day if:
- Burning when passing urine with visible blood.
- Pink or red urine more than once.
- Blood in urine in an older adult, a smoker, or someone with a kidney or prostate condition.
- Blood in a child's urine.
May be managed at home, with follow-up, if:
- Check whether recent beetroot or a new medicine could explain the colour, and tell the doctor.
- If it is a single episode with no pain, you feel well and the urine is clear again, still arrange a check soon.
- Keep a note of any pain, fever or repeated episodes.
What happens when you come to Emergency Plus?
At the emergency department at Emergency Plus in Dabouq, emergency doctors are on site 24/7 and you can walk in without an appointment. The team will ask about your symptoms, check you, and may use the on-site X-ray, ultrasound or laboratory where they are needed. They will explain the right next step for you, in Arabic or English.
Blood in your urine and not sure?
For a life-threatening emergency, call 911 and don't drive yourself. For anything urgent that is not life-threatening, the emergency department at Emergency Plus in Dabouq, Amman is open 24/7 with no appointment, with an Arabic and English speaking team.
Call our 24/7 ER: +962 79 247 1313Sources
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. Emergency Plus in Dabouq, Amman is open 24/7 — +962 79 247 1313.