Verdict: FALSE.
A symptom that should never be trivialized
Blood in the urine, called hematuria, may be visible to the naked eye or discovered during a urine exam.
A urinary infection is indeed a common cause, especially when it is accompanied by burning when urinating, pressing urges or pain in the lower abdomen.
But other diseases can also be responsible.
Urinary stones, kidney disease, certain prostate diseases in men or, more rarely, a urinary tract tumor can also cause hematuria.
What the doctor is looking for
Context is essential.
Does blood appear at the beginning or end of urination? Is it accompanied by pain? Fever? Colic in the back? These elements quickly guide the examinations to be carried out.
Even when it disappears spontaneously, an episode of blood in the urine is worth reporting.
When should you consult?
Any hematuria requires medical advice.
In case of severe pain, high fever or heavy bleeding with clots, rapid treatment is necessary.
A simple urine test, supplemented if necessary by an ultrasound or a scanner, often makes it possible to identify the cause.
What to remember
Blood in the urine is not always linked to a urinary tract infection. It is a symptom that systematically requires an assessment in order to understand its origin.
Advice from Dr Gérald Kierzek
Blood in the urine most often comes from a urinary infection, a kidney stone, an enlarged prostate or intense exercise, benign and frequent causes, generally accompanied by burning, flank pain or urinary problems. But painless bleeding, especially after the age of 50 or in a smoker, must first eliminate a tumor cause (bladder, kidney). In all cases, visible blood in the urine warrants immediate medical consultation; it is never a symptom to monitor alone at home.