All You Need to Know about Urinary Tract Infection: Urinary Infection Symptoms, Causes, Types, and Treatment

According to research published in Therapeutic Advances in Urology, UTI is the most prevalent outpatient infection, with a lifetime prevalence of 50-60% in adult women. In general, urinary tract infection is more common in women rather than men. The symptoms of urinary infection vary with patients and are discussed later. Also, about 60% of women and 12% of men have UTIs once during their lifetime.

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What Is Urinary Tract Infection?

Urinary Tract Infection or UTI happens when bacteria or germs infect the urinary system and start multiplying. This is also the second most common type of infection in the human body.

What Are the Different Types of Urinary Tract Infection?

There are 3 types of UTI, namely,

Pyelonephritis
Cystitis
Urethritis

Among these three types of urinary tract infection, Pyelonephritis occurs in the kidneys, Cystitis occurs in the bladder, and Urethritis occurs in the urethra.

Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection

Symptoms of UTI vary for males and females. Also, the intensity of these symptoms of UTI infection varies significantly among patients. Some people feel much more severe symptoms, while some do not feel any. Nevertheless, a few of the most common symptoms are as follows –

Strong odour from urine
Blood-tinged or cloudy urine
Pain, pressure, and ache in the lower abdomen
Burning sensation during urination
Urgent urge to urinate often with a few drops of it

However, if this infection spreads to the kidneys, the symptoms become more severe and might include –

Nausea and vomiting
Fever and chills
Pain in the lower back

What Are the Main Causes of Urinary Tract Infection?

If you are wondering what causes UTI, then the primary reason would be unusual bacterial growth in the urinary tract. A few of the primary causes of this condition include –

Not drinking enough fluids

Holding urine for a long time

Hormonal changes in the urinary tract

Conditions that block the flow of urine

Injuries that make the urinary bladder difficult to release urine entirely regularly

Catheters

Apart from these, some causes of urine infection in females are as follows –

Pregnancy

Using a diaphragm or a spermicide

Being sexually active

Wearing small underwear

Menopause

Also, some of the causes of urine infection in males include –

Having unprotected coitus

Enlarged prostate

Old age

What Are the Risk Factors of UTI?

Some common factors that trigger the symptoms mentioned above for both men and women are as follows –

Urinary incontinence
Diabetes
Kidney stones
A medical history of UTIs
Recent usage of a Urinary Catheter

What Is the Recommended Treatment for UTI?

It is essential to understand that you must consult a health professional first if you have any urinary infection symptoms. They will help you understand and diagnose your problem better. Before proceeding with self treatment for UTI, make sure to take a urologist’s advice.

However, treatment for urinary tract infections will include antibiotics as its first line of treatment. For uncomplicated infections, common drugs include –

Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra, others)
Ceftriaxone
Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Macrobid)
Fosfomycin (Monurol)
Cephalexin (Keflex)

How to Prevent Urinary Tract Infection?

The main idea behind the prevention of urinary tract infection is to keep bacteria out of the urinary tract. A few of the preventions for UTIs include –

Consume an adequate amount of water
Wipe cleanly
Wash before coitus, and urinate after it
Use clean and new feminine hygiene products

When to See a Doctor?

It is always a good idea to seek medical advice, particularly if you have any of the symptoms mentioned above. However, you must consult a urologist if –

You see that UTI symptoms are getting severe or worse

You are getting UTIs frequently

Although adults can easily note UTI symptoms based on the stated pointers, it is essentially essential for parents to note their kid’s health for UTIs. Parents must consult a doctor if their child has pain in the lower abdomen or has a problem while urinating. UTIs might happen to a child if –

He/she has a high fever or looks ill

He/she is vomiting and is dehydrated, and is unable to take any medications

Bacteria from the urinary tract have spread into the blood

Your child is younger than 6 months

Besides those, you should call a doctor for your kid if –

Your kid has smelly, discoloured, or bloody urine

He/she has lower abdomen pain

He/she has a fever over 1010F for children and 100.40F for infants.

So, it is essential to understand that UTIs can be treated without any complications if diagnosed early. Also, maintaining genital hygiene is essential to preventing urinary tract infections. However, if you experience symptoms of urinary infection, it is essential to consult a medical professional and seek medication. Other than that, drinking plenty of water might be helpful in the early stages.

Frequently Asked Questions

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How to diagnose UTI?

UTI is diagnosed by doctors primarily by CT scan, MRI scan, and ultrasound.

Can antibiotics help treat UTIs?

Antibiotics might help treat UTIs, but you must seek medical advice from a professional before doing so.

Can UTI lead to kidney damage?

In general, a urinary tract infection doesn’t lead to kidney damage, but you must treat it before getting serious.