The ManicaPost
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 bladder and the urethra. Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than men are. Infection limited to your bladder can be painful and annoying. However, serious consequences can occur if a UTI spreads up to your kidneys. These infections don’t always cause signs and symptoms, but when they do they may include:
A strong, persistent urge to urinate
A burning sensation when urinating
Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
Urine that appears cloudy or reddish
Strong-smelling urine
Pelvic pain, in women
Rectal pain, in men
Fever, chills, nausea and vomiting
Each type of UTI may result in more-specific signs and symptoms, depending on which part of your urinary tract is infected.
Urinary tract infections typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder. Although the urinary system is designed to keep out such microscopic invaders, these defences sometimes fail. When that happens, bacteria may take hold and grow into a full-blown infection in the urinary tract.
Infection of the bladder (cystitis). This type of UTI is usually caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), a type of bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract. Sexual intercourse may lead to cystitis, but you don’t have to be sexually active to develop it. All women are at risk of cystitis because of their anatomy — specifically, the short distance from the urethra to the anus and the urethral opening to the bladder.
Infection of the urethra (urethritis). This type of UTI can occur when bacteria spread from the anus to the urethra. Also, because the female urethra is close to the vagina, sexually transmitted infections, such as herpes, gonorrhoea and chlamydia, can cause urethritis.
The following situations will put you at higher risk of getting a UTI:
Being female. UTIs are common in women, and many women experience more than one infection.
Being sexually active. Sexually active women tend to have more UTIs than do women who aren’t sexually active.
Using certain types of birth control. Women who use the diaphragm for birth control also may be at higher risk, as may women who use spermicidal agents.
Menopause. After menopause, UTIs may become more common because the lack of oestrogen causes changes in the urinary tract that make it more vulnerable to infection.
Having urinary tract abnormalities. Babies born with urinary tract abnormalities that don’t allow urine to leave the body normally or cause urine to backup in the urethra have an increased risk of UTIs.
Having blockages in the urinary tract. Kidney stones or an enlarged prostate can trap urine in the bladder and increase the risk of UTI.
Having a suppressed immune system. Diabetes and other diseases that impair the immune system — the body’s defence against germs — can increase the risk of UTIs.
Using a catheter to urinate. People who can’t urinate on their own and use a tube (catheter) to urinate have an increased risk of UTIs. This may include people who are hospitalized, people with neurological problems that make it difficult to control their ability to urinate and people who are paralyzed.
When treated promptly and properly, urinary tract infections rarely lead to complications. But left untreated, a urinary tract infection can have serious consequences including;
Recurrent infections, especially in women who experience three or more UTIs
Permanent kidney damage from an acute or chronic kidney infection (pyelonephritis) due to an untreated UTI, especially in young children
Increased risk of women delivering low birth weight or premature infants
Miscarriages in pregnant women
Death
Tests and procedures used to diagnose urinary tract infections include:
Analyzing a urine sample. Your doctor may ask for a urine sample for lab analysis to look for white blood cells, red blood cells or bacteria.
Growing urinary tract bacteria in a lab. Lab analysis of the urine is sometimes followed by a urine culture — a test that uses your urine sample to grow bacteria in a lab. This test tells your doctor what bacteria are causing your infection and which medications will be most effective.
Creating images of your urinary tract. If your doctor suspects that an abnormality in your urinary tract causes frequent infections, you may have an ultrasound or a computerized tomography (CT) scan to create images of your urinary tract.
Using a scope to see inside your bladder. If you have recurrent UTIs, your doctor may perform a cystoscopy, using a long, thin tube with a lens (cystoscope) to see inside your urethra and bladder.
Treatment of urinary tract infections typically involves antibiotics and analgesics. If you think you may have a urinary tract infection please visits your doctor.
