Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of your urinary system — your kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra.

Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than are men. If an infection is limited to your bladder, it can be painful and annoying. But serious health problems can result if a UTI spreads to your kidneys.

UTIs are very common, affecting millions of people each year. They're usually easily treated with antibiotics, but prompt treatment is important to prevent complications. Understanding the symptoms and when to seek care can help ensure timely treatment.

Lower UTI (most common):

• Cystitis: Bladder infection
• Urethritis: Urethra infection

Upper UTI (more serious):

• Pyelonephritis: Kidney infection
• Can be serious and may require hospitalization

Symptoms of a UTI can vary depending on which part of the urinary tract is infected:

Lower UTI Symptoms:

• Strong, persistent urge to urinate
• Burning sensation when urinating
• Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
• Cloudy, dark, bloody, or strong-smelling urine
• Pelvic pain (in women)
• Rectal pain (in men)

Upper UTI Symptoms (kidney infection):

• All lower UTI symptoms, plus:
• High fever
• Shaking and chills
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain in your back or side (flank pain)
• Severe fatigue

Symptoms in Children:

• Fever
• Irritability
• Poor feeding
• Vomiting
• Bedwetting (in potty-trained children)
• May not have typical symptoms

Seek emergency care if you have:

• High fever with UTI symptoms
• Severe back or side pain
• Nausea and vomiting with UTI symptoms
• Signs of kidney infection
• Confusion (especially in older adults)

• Symptoms of UTI
• Symptoms that don't improve after treatment
• Recurrent UTIs
• Symptoms in children
• Symptoms during pregnancy

While you should see a doctor for a UTI, these measures can help:

1. Drink Plenty of Water:

   • Helps flush bacteria from urinary tract
   • Aim for 6-8 glasses per day
   • Urinate frequently

2. Avoid Irritants:

   • Avoid caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods
   • May irritate bladder
   • Can worsen symptoms

3. Use Heating Pad:

   • Apply to lower abdomen
   • Can help relieve pain
   • Use low heat setting

4. Urinate When Needed:

   • Don't hold urine
   • Empty bladder completely
   • Urinate after sexual activity

5. Wear Comfortable Clothing:

   • Loose, cotton underwear
   • Avoid tight pants
   • Change out of wet clothing promptly

Important: These measures help with symptoms but don't cure the infection. You still need medical treatment.

• Any symptoms of UTI
• Symptoms that don't improve
• Recurrent UTIs (3 or more per year)
• Symptoms in children
• Symptoms during pregnancy
• Symptoms with fever or back pain

• Following antibiotic treatment
• Symptoms improving with treatment
• No new or worsening symptoms

Diagnosing a UTI involves:

1. Urine Sample:

   • Urinalysis: Checks for white blood cells, red blood cells, bacteria
   • Urine culture: Identifies specific bacteria and determines antibiotic sensitivity

2. Physical Examination:

   • Check for tenderness in abdomen or back
   • May check vital signs

3. Additional Tests (if recurrent or complicated):

   • Imaging tests (ultrasound, CT scan)
   • Cystoscopy (camera in bladder)
   • Urodynamic testing

Antibiotics:

• Most UTIs are treated with antibiotics
• Common antibiotics: trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin
• Take full course as prescribed
• Symptoms usually improve within 1-2 days
• Complete full course even if feeling better

Pain Relief:

• Phenazopyridine (urinary pain reliever)
• Over-the-counter pain relievers
• Heating pad

For Recurrent UTIs:

• Low-dose antibiotics (prevention)
• Single-dose antibiotic after sexual activity
• Vaginal estrogen (postmenopausal women)

For Kidney Infections:

• May need IV antibiotics
• Hospitalization may be required
• Longer course of antibiotics

Prevent UTIs by:

1. Stay Hydrated:

   • Drink plenty of water
   • Helps flush bacteria

2. Urination Habits:

   • Urinate when you feel the need
   • Don't hold urine
   • Empty bladder completely
   • Urinate after sexual activity

3. Wiping Technique (women):

   • Wipe from front to back
   • Prevents bacteria from anus reaching urethra

4. Hygiene:

   • Keep genital area clean
   • Avoid douches and feminine sprays
   • Change out of wet clothing promptly

5. Clothing:

   • Wear cotton underwear
   • Avoid tight pants
   • Change underwear daily

6. Cranberry Products:

   • Some evidence suggests benefit
   • May help prevent (not treat) UTIs
   • Discuss with doctor

When a UTI occurs:

1. Bacteria Enter: Usually through urethra
2. Travel Up: Bacteria move up urinary tract
3. Infection: Bacteria multiply in bladder
4. Inflammation: Body's immune response causes symptoms
5. Treatment: Antibiotics kill bacteria, symptoms resolve

Most UTIs are caused by bacteria from the digestive tract (especially E. coli) that enter the urinary system.

• Much more common in women
• Shorter urethra increases risk
• Risk increases with sexual activity
• Menopause increases risk

• Less common but can occur
• May be sign of underlying problem
• Prostate problems can increase risk

• Can occur in children
• May have different symptoms
• Important to treat promptly
• May indicate structural problems

• More common in older adults
• May have different symptoms (confusion, no typical symptoms)
• Higher risk of complications
• May need different treatment approach

Some mild UTIs may resolve, but most require antibiotics. Untreated UTIs can spread to kidneys and become serious. It's best to see a doctor.

Yes. Good hygiene, staying hydrated, urinating regularly, and urinating after sex can help reduce your risk.

No, but sexual activity can increase risk by introducing bacteria. UTIs are not considered STIs.

Women have shorter urethras, making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder. The urethra is also closer to the anus in women.

Yes, though less common. UTIs in men may indicate an underlying problem and should always be evaluated by a doctor.