14 Common Signs of a Urine Infection

2. A Change in Urine Smell

Sudden changes in the color of your urine can be a good indicator of a bladder or urinary tract infection, but it can also be caused by certain dietary factors or temporary conditions and medications: Usually, a sudden change in the color of your urine to dark might just mean that you are dehydrated (and increasing your fluid intake could be all it takes to fix it). 

Where urine develops a characteristically strong smell, it can also be indicative of a bladder or urinary tract infection: You’re likely to experience the smell change together with some of the other symptoms mentioned in this article (including changes in your urination frequency).

First, eliminate dietary factors such as asparagus which might change the smell of urine temporarily: If you can combine other symptoms on this list or the symptom lasts for more than a day or two, it’s more likely to be an infection instead.