Brief Answer:
Urinary infection is possible- further bits of advice below

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to 'Ask a Doctor' service,

I carefully read your query and understand your concern.

Frequent and painful urination with blood can be caused by a urinary infection. In this case, antibiotics are needed. The best way to confirm it is an infection and which is the best antibiotic is to have a urinalysis and a urine culture (which determines the antibiotic that is the best choice in your case).

Meanwhile taking plenty of water is recommended so the urinary tract is flushed and help the body clear the infection a much as possible.

It is not mentioned in the query your gender or the age but a few considerations:

- if it is just the above symptoms as you mentioned, without any fever or low back pain and you are a female, Nitrofurantoin can be used empirically if you have not used it recently

- if no improvement with the above treatment, urine culture, and gynecological exam is needed (to rule out gynecological causes of such symptoms). Sometimes urinary stones may cause similar symptoms as you are having and in this case, if urine culture comes out negative you will need examinations to rule out urinary tract stones or other structural conditions- ultrasound, abdominal x-ray, etc)

- urinary symptoms in men need further evaluation (ultrasound examination, prostate exam, abdominal X-ray, etc) because urinary infections are not common in men and when such symptoms exist further check is needed to rule out other conditions.

I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician

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