Urinary Tract Infection

Overview

A urinary tract infection or UTI is a common infection affecting the urinary system. The E. coli bacteria is typically responsible for causing most recorded UTIs and can affect any part of the urinary system including the ureters, kidneys, bladder and urethra. This condition can usually be cured with the help of antibiotics. There are also certain preventive measures one can undertake to reduce the chances of contracting a UTI in the first place.

Women are more at risk of developing a urinary tract infection. The most commonly occurring UTIs affect the urethra and bladder. The severity of the condition may range from slightly irritating to quite serious. For example, if the infection stays limited to the bladder, the pain can be intense and discomforting yet manageable. However, if the infection spreads over to the kidneys, other complementary, serious health issues may emerge.

What is Urinary Tract Infection?

A urinary tract infection is an infection that occurs in one's urinary system. It may affect the bladder, the kidney or the urethra. Urine is the by-product of one’s blood-filtering system, a process undertaken by the kidneys. One’s kidneys produce urine as they remove the waste products and extra water from an individual’s blood. Urine usually moves through the urinary system without contracting any case of contamination. However, when bacteria enter the urinary system, UTIs may be caused. UTIs are very common, with most if not all women having experienced the symptoms of it at least once in their lives.

Types of Urinary Tract Infection

The types of urinary tract infections are classified based on where the infections develop and the symptoms triggered. Here are the various types of UTI for reference:

Kidney UTIs

The symptoms of UTIs that affect the kidney include nausea, high fever, vomiting, chills, side area aches and back pain. Urinating with a kidney infection can also prove to be a painful experience, sometimes resulting in the release of blood.

Bladder UTIs

UTIs in the bladder can cause pelvic pressure and high levels of discomfort resulting from it; pain in the lower abdomen area; pain during urination and blood in urine.

Urethra UTIs

UTIs of the urethra can cause a burning sensation to be felt by the affected individual. They may also notice discharge as a symptom of this UTI type.

Signs of Urinary Tract Infections

Signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection depend upon the type of UTI one is diagnosed with. However, there are certain common symptoms experienced by most individuals with a UTI. For example, a burning sensation or pain while urinating, blood in urine, frequent need to urinate, cramping sensation in the lower abdomen area, and a feeling of needing to urinate even when the bladder is essentially emptied are some commonly experienced symptoms of UTIs.

Other symptoms shall include feelings of nausea, needing to throw up, fever and shivers, and pain in the lower back of the body and on the sides. One may face the urge to urinate more than usual in the nighttime. Their urine may appear "cloudy". An individual may also feel pain right under the ribs area. The need to urinate may arise suddenly and just as urgently.

Causes of Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria entering the urinary system. This risk of the E. coli bacteria entering the bladder can be unleashed by having intercourse, having blocks in the urinary tracts (like kidney stones), pregnancy, not drinking enough liquids, having a weak immune system, and having an unclean and often damp genital region.

Conditions which make it difficult for the bladder to empty itself, like constipation in children and an enlarged prostate in males can also lead to the development of UTIs.

Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosis and Tests

If one suspects having a UTI, they should not hesitate to consult a healthcare professional. An analysis of the urine sample will help diagnose the UTI. The sample will be examined under a high-tech microscope to check for the presence of white blood cells or bacteria, both of which are signs of an infection.

Doctors may also take a urine culture to identify traces of UTI-causing yeast and bacteria. One must remember to immediately book an appointment with a healthcare professional if they see blood in their urine as while it can be a sign of a UTI, it could also be a symptom of some other serious condition.

Urinary Tract Infection Management and Treatment

Urinary tract infections are usually healed with antibiotics. Simple UTIs can be cured with medicines like trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole, nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin, cephalexin, and ceftriaxone. Another rarely prescribed group of antibiotics is fluoroquinolones which may only be necessary to heal complicated UTIs.

If an individual gets UTIs frequently, the doctor may recommend low-dose antibiotics that they may have to take for at least 6 months. Some people shall have to take a single dose of antibiotic every time after intercourse if the cause of UTI is sexual activity. For women who have hit menopause, vaginal estrogen therapy will be necessary.

Preventive Measures for Urinary Tract Infection

There are certain preventive measures one can undertake to avoid urinary tract infections. These include wiping from the front region to the back portion of the butt when one washes up after using the toilet, keeping the genital area dry and clean, drinking adequate fluids, washing the skin around the vagina before and after intercourse, urinating right after intercourse or as fast as possible, and changing into fresh pads or nappies (for children) when they are spoilt.

Myths and Facts Related to Urinary Tract Infection

Here are certain myths related to urinary tract infections and the correct facts following them up:

Myth 1: All Urinary Tract Infections Cause Symptoms
Fact: One can have bacteria in their urinary system but not experience any symptoms of UTIs. The usual burning sensation while urinating or the bloody urine may not be recorded even as one is affected by a UTI.

Myth 2: Only Women Get Urinary Tract Infections
Fact: While it is true that women are more at risk of developing a UTI owing to their urethra being shorter than it is in men; men are not immune to them. Men and women are both at risk of developing a UTI and therefore, must take the necessary protective measures against them to begin with.

Myth 3: UTIs Will Go Away their Own
Fact: Urinary tract infections usually do not go away on their own. However, certain asymptotic UTIs may heal on their own eventually.

Myth 4: To Get Rid of a UTI, I Should Wash My Vagina with Soap and Water
Fact: Using soap and water to clean the vagina cannot help keep the UTIs away, but instead, throw off the pH and bacterial balance of the vagina. So, it is not recommended under any circumstances.

Myth 5: If Urine is of a Strange colour or Bears an odour, it is a sign of a UTI
Fact: Research proves that whether or not one has a UTI cannot be accurately determined by looking at the colour of the urine not by its smell. Both can change based on how much water one drinks throughout the day and what they eat.