What is the primary symptom of a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

The primary symptom of a urinary tract infection (UTI) is painful urination, also known as dysuria. This discomfort occurs as a result of inflammation and irritation of the urinary tract lining due to the infection. As the infected individual urinates, they may experience a burning or stinging sensation, which is a hallmark sign of a UTI.

While fever, nausea, and abdominal pain may also occur in some cases, they are not the primary symptom singularly associated with a UTI. Fever might indicate a more severe infection or complication, nausea can stem from various causes unrelated to UTIs, and abdominal pain can occur in many different conditions. Therefore, the key and most distinctive symptom that directly points to a urinary tract infection is indeed the painful urination.