- A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary system — the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra.
- Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than are men. Infection limited to the bladder can be painful and annoying. However, serious consequences can occur if a UTI spreads to the kidneys.
Symptoms of UTis:
- Urinary tract 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
- Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored — a sign of blood in the urine
- Strong-smelling urine
- Pelvic pain, in women — especially in the center of the pelvis and around the area of the pubic bone.
Types of Urinary Tract Infections
Part of Urinary Tract Infected Signs & Symptoms
Kidneys (acute pyelonephritis) -Back pain or side (flank) pain ,High fever ,
Shaking and chills ,Nausea,Vomiting
Bladder (cystitis) -Pelvic pressure ,Lower abdomen
discomfort,Frequent & painful urination ,Blood in urine
Urethra (urethritis) -Burning with urination
Discharge
Causes of UTis :
- 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 defenses sometimes fail. When that happens, bacteria may take hold and grow into a full-blown infection in the urinary tract.
- The most common UTIs occur mainly in women and affect the bladder and urethra.
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 (GI) tract. However, sometimes other bacteria are responsible.
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 GI bacteria spread from the anus to the urethra. Also, because the female urethra is close to the vagina, sexually transmitted infections, such as herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia and mycoplasma, can cause urethritis.
Prevention of UTis :
- Drink plenty of liquids, especially water. Drinking water helps dilute your urine and ensures that you’ll urinate more frequently — allowing bacteria to be flushed from your urinary tract before an infection can begin.
- Wipe from front to back. Doing so after urinating and after a bowel movement helps prevent bacteria in the anal region from spreading to the vagina and urethra.
- Empty your bladder soon after intercourse. Also, drink a full glass of water to help flush bacteria.
- Avoid potentially irritating feminine products. Using deodorant sprays or other feminine products, such as douches and powders, in the genital area can irritate the urethra.
- Change your birth control method. Diaphragms, or unlubricated or spermicide-treated condoms, can all contribute to bacterial growth.
- See our prescription guide for the treatment guide.
- DIAGNOSIS : High Vaginal Swab test ( HVS) , Urine culture and Urethral Swab Test .