BRITS are being urged to look out for the early warning signs of a common infection.

Serious and potentially deadly complications, like sepsis, can occur if left untreated.

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The warning comes from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) which says not to ignore symptoms of urinary tract infections (UTIs).

UTIs can "prove fatal in extreme instances" if the infection spreads, it says.

A UTI is an infection in any part of the urinary system - including the kidneys, ureter (the duct by which urine passes from the kidney to the bladder), bladder, and urethra (the tube that lets urine leave your bladder and your body).

They're more common in women than men, and are typically treated with antibiotics.

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But if UTIs are left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, including kidney infections and potentially permanent kidney damage.

Also sepsis, which is a life-threatening reaction to an infection where the immune system mistakenly starts to damage your body's own tissues and organs.

The UKHSA wrote on X: "Left untreated, #UTIs can escalate into serious bloodstream infections, adding to our antibiotic resistance threat.

"These infections could potentially develop into #sepsis, and prove fatal in extreme instances.

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"Recognise the early warning signs."

Sepsis requires immediate medical attention with antibiotic treatment.

Without treatment, the condition can develop into septic shock, causing organs to fail, which can be fatal.

The UKHSA warns this could fuel antibiotic resistance, as the bacteria may evolve so that common life-saving antibiotics no longer work.

Health experts have warned antibiotic resistance is becoming one of the UK's biggest health risks.

Last year, researchers warned more than 39 million people across the world could die from antibiotic-resistant infections over the next 25 years

To avoid these complications, the health agency has therefore urged people to look out for the early signs of a UTI to help manage the infection before it spreads.

Check if it's a UTI

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According to the NHS, symptoms of a UTI may include:

• pain or a burning sensation when peeing (dysuria)
• needing to pee more often than usual
• needing to pee more often than usual during the night (nocturia)
• needing to pee suddenly or more urgently than usual
• pee that looks cloudy
• blood in your pee
• lower tummy pain or pain in your back, just under the ribs
• a high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
• a very low temperature below 36C

Pee may also be dark or smell. If this is the only symptom, it could be caused by dehydration.

The health service says women are more prone to UTIs than men because of their shorter urethra.

This means bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys and cause an infection.

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Older adults are also at a higher risk, with  showing the majority of hospital admissions involving UTIs were in patients aged 65 and older.

Common things that increase the risk of bacteria getting into the bladder include having sex, not drinking enough fluids, not keeping the genital area clean and dry, and an enlarged prostate.