What is it?
Haematuria is when there is blood in the urine. It can be:
Visible: It is possible to see blood in the urine with the naked eye
Microscopic: It is not possible to see blood in the urine but red blood cells are found in a urine test
Normally, you should not see any blood in your urine. It is important to see your GP if you notice blood in your urine. The blood can come from your kidneys, bladder or urethra (the tube that takes urine from the bladder). There are many causes of blood in the urine. Common causes include urinary tract infections and kidney stones. In rare cases, the blood might be caused by prostate, kidney or bladder cancers.
What will my GP do now?
Your GP will want to find what is causing blood in the urine and treat it. They may ask you about your health, symptoms and medications. They may test your urine to see if there is an infection. Most infections can be treated with antibiotics.
Sometimes a urine test will not show anything. If this happens, your GP may need to take a blood test or another urine test. This is to find out more about what could be causing your symptoms.
What will my GP do in the future?
Your GP will see you again in one or two weeks to follow-up on your tests and any treatments. If you have an infection, your GP may check your health to make sure your symptoms are getting better. Your GP may refer you to a specialist if you need further care.
