Can a UTI Cause Nausea and Vomiting?
Medically reviewed by Linda Girgis | MD, Girgis Family Medicine on August 22nd, 2026.
Yes, UTIs can cause nausea and vomiting, especially when the infection spreads to the kidneys. While typical UTI symptoms include burning urination and frequent urges, systemic symptoms like nausea occur in about 15-20% of cases. When bacteria travel from the bladder to the kidneys, causing pyelonephritis, nausea and vomiting become more common alongside fever and flank pain. Simple bladder infections rarely cause nausea, but kidney involvement triggers these gastrointestinal symptoms as your body fights the infection. Severe nausea with UTI symptoms, particularly with fever or back pain, requires immediate medical attention to prevent complications like sepsis.
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