About 80 to 90 percent of UTIs are caused by a single type of bacteria. UTIs can be treated effectively with medications called antibiotics. People who get repeated UTIs may need additional tests to check for other health problems.
UTIs also may be called cystitis or a bladder infection. This brochure answers the questions most often asked about UTIs. If you have more questions, speak to your doctor.
What is a urinary tract infection?
A urinary tract infection is what happens when bacteria (germs) get into the urinary tract (the bladder) and multiply. The result is redness, swelling and pain in the urinary tract. Most UTIs stay in the bladder, the pouch-shaped organ where urine is stored before it passes out of the body. If a UTI is not treated promptly, the bacteria can travel up to the kidneys and cause a more serious type of infection, called pyelonephritis (pronounced pie-low-nef-right-iss) . Pyelonephritis is an actual infection of the kidney, where urine is produced. This may result in fever and back pain.
What are the symptoms of a uti ?
Some people don’t have any symptoms with a UTI. However, most get at least one or some of the following. an urgent need to urinate, often with only a few drops of urine to pass. a burning feeling when urinating an aching feeling, pressure or pain in your lower abdomen cloudy or blood-tinged urine
a strong odor to your urine.If the infection spreads to the kidneys and becomes more
severe, you may also have: pain in your lower back fever and chills nausea and vomiting. See your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms.
What will the doctor do to check for a urinary track ?
Your doctor will test a sample of your urine for bacteria and blood cells. This is called a urinalysis. It is important that you get instruction on how to collect the urine specimen properly to avoid bacterial contamination. A culture of the urine will tell the doctor which bacteria are present. Different antibiotics may also be tested to see which works best against the bacteria. If an infection does not clear up with treatment, or if you have repeated infections, your doctor may refer you to a urologist, a physician who specializes in diseases of the urinary tract. Often, the urologist will order some special tests such as:
An ultrasound exam, which gives a picture of your kidneys and bladder using sound waves. A cystoscopic exam, which uses a hollow tube with special lenses to look inside Urodynamics, a test that determines if the bladder is functioning properly. An intravenous pyelogram, which involves injecting a dye into a vein and taking images of your kidneys and bladder.
How are uti s treated?
UTIs are treated with antibiotics. Your doctor may ask you to take the antibiotics for a week or two to make sure the infection has been cured. If your infection has spread to your kidneys, you may need several weeks of antibiotic treatment. In addition to antibiotics, your doctor may also tell you to drink plenty of fluids. When people have other health problems in addition to their UTI, such as an enlarged prostate gland (in a man) or kidney stones, they will need to have these problems treated along with the UTI.
are certain people more likely to get utis?
Yes. While anyone can get a UTI, some people are more likely than others to get them. People who have diabetes may have changes in their body’s immune system, making it easier for them to get UTIs. People with blockages in their urinary tract, such as a kidney stone, are more likely to get UTIs. An enlarged prostate gland in a man can also block the flow of urine and cause a UTI.
Infants who are born with an abnormality of their urinary tract have an increased chance of getting a UTI. Surgery is sometimes needed to correct the problem. People who have a catheter, or tube, placed in their bladder for a long time are more prone to UTIs. This is because bacteria on the catheter can infect the bladder. Women get more UTIs than men. This may be because women have a shorter urethra (pronounced you-reeth-rah), which makes it easier for bacteria to travel up to the bladder.
are pregnant women more likely to get utis?
UTIs may be more serious during pregnancy because the bacteria are more likely to travel to the kidneys. A pregnant woman with a UTI should consult her doctor to avoid potential problems like high blood pressure or premature delivery of her baby.
What can be done for women who get repeated uti s?
A woman who gets UTIs often (three or more a year) should speak to her doctor. The doctor may recommend one of the following options:
Taking low doses of an antibiotic daily for six months or longer.
Taking a single dose of an antibiotic after having sex. (For many women, having sex seems to trigger a UTI.)
Taking an antibiotic for one or two days when symptoms of a UTI occur.
Do men get uti s?
Yes, though much less often than women. A UTI in a man may be caused by an enlarged prostate gland, which can block the flow of urine
