Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)

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Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
What are urinary tract infections?
A urinary tract infection is a common infection that is caused by bacteria in parts of the urinary tract, such as the kidneys, bladder, or urethra. Women are more likely to get urinary tract infections than men are.


What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?
Not everyone with a urinary tract infection has symptoms, but most people have at least some symptoms. Signs of a urinary tract infection include:

Pain or stinging when urinating
Needing to urinate often or really badly
Urine that smells bad or looks milky, cloudy, or reddish in color
Pain in the lower belly (abdomen)
Feeling tired, shaky or having a fever
Are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection different for children?
Symptoms of a urinary tract infection are often harder to recognize in children.
If a child is irritable, is not eating normally, has an unexplained fever that doesn’t go away, has incontinence or loose bowels, or is not thriving, then he or she may have a urinary tract infection. The child should see a health care provider immediately.



What is the treatment for a urinary tract infection?
Urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotics to get rid of the infection. Pregnant women with urinary tract infections are more likely to get kidney infections and so quick treatment is especially important for these women. If you are pregnant and think you have a urinary tract infection, see your health care provider as soon as possible.


How can I prevent a urinary tract infection?
There are some things women can do to make it less likely they will get urinary tract infections, especially if they get them often.

Drink plenty of water every day.
Urinate when you need to, don’t hold it in.
Wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from entering the vagina or urethra.
Avoid use of feminine hygiene sprays or douches.
If you get a lot of urinary tract infections and use spermicides or creams that kill sperm, talk to your health care provider about using other forms of birth control.


Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

The "urinary tract" consists of the kidneys, the ureters, the bladder, and urethra. These organs together produce, store, and excrete urine.

Approximately 8 to 10 million people in the United States develop a UTI each year. Women are more prone to develop the condition.

The urinary tract can be infected from above - by bacteria entering the kidneys through the bloodstream, or from below - by bacteria entering the urethra and traveling upward.

In adults and older children, infection most often originates in the urethra.

Bacteria called Escherichia coli (E. coli) which is normally present in the bowel cause about 80% of urinary tract infections. Other bacteria that cause urinary tract infections include Klebsiella, Proteus, Enterbacter, Psedomonas, Group D strep, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and Chlamydia trachomatis.

Bacteria enter the opening of the urethra and then multiply in the lining of the urethra. If not treated, the infection progresses to the bladder, ureters, and finally affects the kidneys.

Symptoms of UTI are:

1. Burning sensation during urination
2. Frequent urge to urinate
3. Sudden pressure to urinate immediately (sometimes incontinence may occur)
4. Having the sensation to urinate but being unable to do so
5. Cloudy urine which may be foul smelling
6. Blood present in the urine
7. A fever, vomiting or flank pain may mean that the infection has reached the kidneys

Treatment:

UTIs are treated with antibiotics. The type of drug used and the duration of treatment depends on the specifics of the patient, the symptoms and sometimes the type of bacteria that is detected by tests done on the urine samples.