UTIs are unfortunately very common with MS, and they can hit harder than expected. When your body is fighting an infection, it triggers an immune response that causes symptoms like fever, nausea, and headache — your body is essentially working overtime to fight off the bacteria.
For people with MS, UTIs can be especially Show Full Answer
UTIs are unfortunately very common with MS, and they can hit harder than expected. When your body is fighting an infection, it triggers an immune response that causes symptoms like fever, nausea, and headache — your body is essentially working overtime to fight off the bacteria.
For people with MS, UTIs can be especially rough because they can also trigger a pseudo-exacerbation — a temporary worsening of your usual MS symptoms on top of the infection symptoms. This can make the whole experience feel much more intense than a typical UTI. A few things worth knowing about UTIs and MS:
- Bladder problems affect up to 78–90% of people with MS at some point, making UTIs more likely
- Some people with MS don't even realize they have a UTI — they just notice their neurological symptoms getting worse
- UTIs can be triggered by urinary retention (difficulty fully emptying the bladder), which is common with MS
It's really important to let your healthcare team know about UTIs quickly so they can be treated early. The sooner it's caught, the less chance it has to escalate into something more serious. Staying on top of bladder health is a key part of managing MS overall.
August 18
Join
Your Privacy Choices
