A urinary tract infection is a very common
type of infection in your urinary system. It can involve any part of your
urinary system. Bacteria—particularly E. coli—are the most common cause of
UTIs. Symptoms include the need to urinate frequently, pain when urinating, and
pain in the side or lower back. Antibiotics can treat most UTIs.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an
infection in any part of the urinary system. The urinary system includes the
kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Most infections affect the lower
urinary tract – the bladder and urethra.
Women are at greater risk of developing UTIs
than men. If the infection is limited to the bladder, it can be painful and
bothersome. If a UTI spreads to the kidneys, serious health problems can occur.
Healthcare providers often treat urinary
tract infections with antibiotics. You can also take steps to reduce your
chances of getting a UTI in the first place.
Diagnostics
and tests
How
do you know you have a UTI?
If you have symptoms of a urinary tract
infection, talk to your healthcare provider. They will ask about your symptoms,
review your medical history, and perform a physical exam. They may also order
tests to help confirm the diagnosis.
What
tests will be done to diagnose a urinary tract infection?
A
healthcare provider may order the following tests to diagnose a UTI:
Urine
analysis- During this test,
you will pee into a special cup. The provider sends the sample to a lab, where
technicians examine it for signs of a UTI using multiple variables, such as
nitrites, leukocyte esterase, and white blood cells.
Urine
culture- You will pee into a
special cup and lab technicians will test your sample to grow and identify any
bacteria present. Urine cultures are important because they help your provider
determine the most appropriate treatment.
If your infection doesn't respond to
treatment, your provider may order the following tests to examine your urinary
tract for disease or injury:
Ultrasound- An ultrasound is an imaging test that helps
your provider look at your internal organs. Ultrasound is painless and requires
no preparation.
Computed
tomography (CT) - A
CT scan is another imaging test. It's a type of X-ray that takes
cross-sectional images of your body—like slices—that create 3D pictures of the
inside of your body. A CT scan is more accurate than a standard X-ray.
Cystoscopy- Cystoscopy uses a cystoscope to look into
the bladder through the urethra. A cystoscope is a thin instrument with a lens
and a light at the end.
If you have frequent UTIs, your healthcare
provider may perform tests to check for other health problems -- such as
diabetes or an abnormal urinary system -- that may be contributing to your
infections.
Bladder
Infection Treatment?
The specific intervention depends on the
severity of the symptoms. In many cases, healthy patients who have a UTI but
have no symptoms do not require any treatment at all. Such asymptomatic UTIs
usually resolve within two to three days.
If symptoms of a urinary tract infection are
present – such
as burning when urinating or an increased need to urinate – treatment usually
consists of antibiotics, which are prescribed for three to 14 days. They
contain:
Trimethoprim: Trimethoprim is the standard treatment for
urinary tract infections in otherwise healthy adults. It is one of the
strongest UTI antibiotics, so most patients only require a three-day course.
Trimethoprim is generally well tolerated with few side effects that generally
include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea/constipation, or stomach pain.
Nitrofurantoin:
Nitrofurantoin is the second
most commonly prescribed antibiotic for bladder UTIs. It usually requires a
longer course than trimethoprim (7 days) and is usually well tolerated, but
should not be used by anyone with kidney disease. Side effects include nausea
and vomiting.
Cephalosporins: Cephalosporins are often used as first-line
treatment in patients who have upper urinary tract infections involving the
ureters or kidneys. It is usually taken for seven to 10 days. Side effects
include nausea, vomiting, upset stomach and diarrhea.
Penicillin
or amoxicillin: These antibiotics are
usually only prescribed when other antibiotics have proven ineffective. The
bacteria, especially E. coli, have become resistant to penicillin and
amoxicillin and only respond in 50 percent of cases. Side effects include
diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and vaginal itching or discharge.
Treatment
for UTI symptoms?
When UTI symptoms are particularly
bothersome, your doctor may also recommend phenazopyridine (Pyridium) to
relieve burning and discomfort, to be taken in conjunction with antibiotics.
This medicine should not be taken for more than two days and has side effects
that include headache, nausea and changes in the color of urine (orange).
Recommendations
for preventing UTIs?
To prevent a urinary tract infection, some
research suggests that the following may be helpful:
Increase
fluid intake: Your doctor may
recommend increased fluid intake to help flush bacteria from the urinary
system.
Drinking
cranberry juice: Drinking
8 ounces of cranberry juice a day can help prevent recurrent UTIs. People who
take blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) or are prone to kidney stones
should consult a doctor before trying this approach.
Proper
hygiene: Regular bathing keeps
the genital area free of bacteria, and women should wipe from front to back
after using the bathroom to prevent bacteria from entering the urethra.
Urinary tract
infections are when you have an infection in your urinary system. You may feel
embarrassed if you have symptoms that affect your genitals or cause
incontinence, but that's okay—you haven't done anything wrong. UTIs are common,
especially if you have a vagina. A healthcare provider may prescribe
antibiotics to treat the infection, and your symptoms should subside within a
few days. Follow your provider's instructions and complete a full course of
antibiotics to make sure the UTI goes away.