Genitourinary tuberculosis happens when TB bacteria settle in the kidneys, bladder, or prostate. The infection moves slowly, so early clues are easy to blame on a plain bladder infection—until they don’t go away.
The first hint is burning that lingers. Urination stings at the start and keeps smoldering, even after several courses of regular antibiotics.
Urgency and frequency climb. You dash every hour, yet only a spoonful comes out, and the urge returns fast.
Blood is the red flag. Urine can turn light pink, tea-brown, or contain small clots, often without any pain.
Flank or lower-belly ache creeps in. It feels like a dull bruise below the ribs that throbs more as the bladder fills.
Low-grade fever, night sweats, and weight loss tag along. You feel cold one minute, hot the next, and the scale drops without trying.
Late signs include a swollen scrotum, chronic testicle ache, or a draining sore on the skin—an alarm that the infection has moved deeper.
| Symptom | What You Feel | Quick Check |
|---|---|---|
| Burn | Sting stays post-drugs | After 2 courses |
| Frequency | Hourly spoonful | Log daytime trips |
| Blood | Pink, tea, clots | First morning look |
| Ache | Flank bruise throb | Worse when full |
| Fever | Low temp, night sweats | Check weight |
| Late | Ball swell, skin drain | With any above |