Symptoms
Urinary tract infections (UTI) may become dangerous if ascending bacteria reach the kidney and subsequently induce an inflammatory reaction within the renal parenchyma. Host factors like vesicorenal reflux or obstructive uropathies increase the risk of ascending infection and facilitate renal damage even by bacteria of "low virulence".
Causes
if you still have UTI symptoms after you finished your antibiotic (s) course, that is because the antibiotic (s) didn’t fully eliminate the bacteria from your urinary tract, so you are still having a UTI. how to deal with that situation depends on what is causing your antibiotic (s) to not fully eradicate the infection.
Prevention
you think you, your child or someone you care for may have a UTI and:
- a very high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
- a very low temperature below 36C
- are confused, drowsy or have difficulty speaking
- have not been for a pee all day
- have pain in the lower tummy or in the back, just under the ribs
- can see blood in their pee
Complications
- Brain: The brain is an important organ of the body which controls the essence of life. ...
- Heart: The heart may also be affected in patients suffering from urinary tract infection. ...
- Lungs: The lungs are essential for breathing and it is the organ where exchange of respiratory gases occurs. ...
How dangerous is an urinary tract infection?
Why are my UTI symptoms persisting after antibiotic treatment?
What are the signs of an UTI Infection?
What body systems are affected by UTI?
How to reduce the risk of urinary tract infection?
You can take these steps to reduce your risk of urinary tract infections: 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. Drink cranberry juice.
What causes UTIs?
A suppressed immune system. Diabetes and other diseases that impair the immune system — the body's defense against germs — can increase the risk of UTIs.
Why does my bladder get infected?
Causes. 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.
What is the urinary system?
Male urinary system. Your urinary system — which includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra — removes waste from your body through urine. Your kidneys, located in the rear portion of your upper abdomen, produce urine by filtering waste and fluid from your blood. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part ...
What are the symptoms of a UTI?
Part of urinary tract affected. Signs and symptoms. Kidneys (acute pyelonephritis) Back pain or side (flank) pain. High fever.
What does it mean when your urine is red?
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. UTIs may be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions in older adults.
Can a urinary tract infection be caused by surgery?
A recent urinary procedure. Urinary surgery or an exam of your urinary tract that involves medical instruments can both increase your risk of developing a urinary tract infection.
How to get rid of a urinary infection?
Avoid drinks that may irritate your bladder. Avoid coffee, alcohol, and soft drinks containing citrus juices or caffeine until your infection has cleared. They can irritate your bladder and tend to aggravate your frequent or urgent need to urinate.
What is the first line of treatment for urinary tract infections?
Antibiotics usually are the first line treatment for urinary tract infections. Which drugs are prescribed and for how long depend on your health condition and the type of bacteria found in your urine.
How long does it take for a UTI to clear up?
Often, UTI symptoms clear up within a few days of starting treatment. But you may need to continue antibiotics for a week or more.
What type of imaging is used to show urinary tract?
If you are having frequent infections that your doctor thinks may be caused by an abnormality in your urinary tract, you may have an ultrasound, a computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Your doctor may also use a contrast dye to highlight structures in your urinary tract.
How to see inside bladder?
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. The cystoscope is inserted in your urethra and passed through to your bladder.
What is the purpose of a urine culture?
This test tells your doctor what bacteria are causing your infection and which medications will be most effective.
Why do doctors ask for urine samples?
Your doctor may ask for a urine sample for lab analysis to look for white blood cells, red blood cells or bacteria. To avoid potential contamination of the sample, you may be instructed to first wipe your genital area with an antiseptic pad and to collect the urine midstream. Growing urinary tract bacteria in a lab.
How to treat urinary tract infection?
If your physician thinks you need them, antibiotics are the most common treatment for urinary tract infections. As always, be sure to take all of your prescribed medicine, even after you start to feel better. Drink lots of water to help flush the bacteria from your body.
What to do if you have a UTI?
You'll give a urine sample to test for UTI-causing bacteria. If you get frequent UTIs and your doctor suspects a problem in your urinary tract, they might take a closer look with an ultrasound, a CT scan, or an MRI scan.
How many women have a second urinary tract infection?
About 1 in 5 women have a second urinary tract infection, and some have them again and again. In most cases, each infection is brought on by a different type or strain of bacteria. But some bacteria can invade your body's cells and multiply, creating a colony of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
How to prevent a UTI from re-infecting?
Following some tips can help you avoid getting another UTI: Empty your bladder often as soon as you feel the need to pee; don't rush, and be sure you've emptied your bladder completely. Wipe from front to back after you use the toilet. Drink lots of water. Choose showers over baths.
How many UTIs can you have in a year?
They then travel out of the cells and re-invade your urinary tract. If you have three or more UTIs a year, ask your doctor to recommend a treatment plan. Some options include taking: At-home urine tests, which you can get without a prescription, can help you decide whether you need to call your doctor.
What is the risk of getting a urinary tract infection?
If you're a woman, your chance of getting a urinary tract infection is high. Some experts rank your lifetime risk of getting one as high as 1 in 2, with many women having repeat infections, ...
What are the different types of UTIs?
Types of UTIs. An infection can happen in different parts of your urinary tract. Each type has a different name, based on where it is. Cystitis ( bladder): You might feel like you need to pee a lot, or it might hurt when you pee. You might also have lower belly pain and cloudy or bloody urine.
How to prevent urinary tract infection?
To prevent urinary tract infection, some research suggests that the following may be helpful: Increasing fluid intake: The doctor may recommend increased fluid intake to help flush bacteria out of the urinary system. Drinking cranberry juice: Drinking 8 ounces of cranberry juice a day may help prevent recurrent UTIs.
What to do if you have a recurring urinary infection?
Treatment may include longer doses of antibiotics or more potent doses of antibiotics delivered intravenously.
What is the most common urological condition?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that occurs anywhere in the urinary tract -- including the urethra ( urethritis ), bladder ( cystitis ), and kidney ( pyelonephritis ). These infections are among the most common urological conditions, with cystitis occurring most frequently, and both women and me n are susceptible.
How long should I take phenazopyridine for UTI?
This medication should not be taken for more than two days and has side effects that include headache, nausea, and changes in urine color (orange).
How to prevent UTIs?
Drinking cranberry juice: Drinking 8 ounces of cranberry juice a day may help prevent recurrent UTIs. People who take blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) or are prone to kidney stones should check with a physician before trying this approach.
Is trimethoprim good for UTI?
Trimethoprim: Trimethoprim is the standard treatment for urinary tract infections in otherwise-healthy adults. It is one of the more potent UTI antibiotics, so most patients only require a three-day course. Trimethoprim is generally well-tolerated with few side effects, which generally include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea/constipation or stomach pain.
Why do you need antibiotics for a UTI?
Your child’s UTI will require prompt antibiotic treatment to prevent kidney damage. The type of bacteria causing your child’s UTI and the severity of your child’s infection will determine the type of antibiotic used and the length of treatment.
How to treat a UTI in a child?
If your child has a UTI that’s diagnosed as a simple bladder infection, it’s likely that treatment will consist of oral antibiotics at home. However, more severe infections may require hospitalization and IV fluids or antibiotics. Hospitalization may be necessary in cases where your child: is younger than 6 months old.
What are the two types of UTIs that affect children?
The two types of UTIs most likely to affect children are bladder infections and kidney infections. When a UTI affects the bladder, it’s called cystitis. When the infection travels from the bladder to the kidneys, it’s called pyelonephritis.
What tests are needed for a UTI?
If your child has a kidney infection, tests also may be required to look for kidney damage. The following imaging tests may be used: kidney and bladder ultrasound.
What is the name of the tube that stores urine?
a bladder that stores your urine until it’s removed from your body. a urethra, or tube, that empties urine from your bladder to outside your body. Your child can develop a UTI when bacteria enter the urinary tract and travel up the ure thra and into the body. The two types of UTIs most likely to affect children are bladder infections ...
What are the factors that can cause a child to have a UTI?
The following factors can put your child at a higher risk for a UTI: a structural deformity or blockage in one of the organs of the urinary tract. abnormal function of the urinary tract. vesicoureteral reflux, a birth defect that results in the abnormal backward flow of urine. the use of bubbles in baths (for girls)
What happens when bacteria aren't expelled from the urethra?
However, when bacteria aren’t expelled out of the urethra, they may grow within the urinary tract. This causes an infection. The urinary tract consists of the parts of the body that are involved in urine production. They are: two kidneys that filter your blood and extra water to produce urine.
What are the causes of UTI?
UTI Causes and Risk Factors. The most common cause of a UTI in the urethra is a sexually transmitted disease. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are two STDs that can cause a UTI. STDs are also the most common cause of UTIs in younger men. Prostate problems can also cause UTIs.
Why do I get a UTI?
Diabetes and other medical issues that affect your immune system can also make you more likely to get a UTI. UTI Complications. If untreated, a lower urinary tract infection can spread up to your kidneys. Doctors can usually treat kidney infections.
What are the two types of urinary tract infections?
The Two Types of Urinary Tract Infection. Doctors usually refer to UTIs as either “upper tract” or “lower tract.”. An upper-tract infection is one that happens in the ureters or kidneys. A lower-tract infection is one that happens in the bladder, prostate, or urethra.
What is the tube that carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder?
Ureters are the twin tubes that carry urine from your kidneys to your bladder. Your urethra is the single tube that carries urine from your bladder past your prostate and to the tip of your penis. If unhealthy bacteria build up anywhere in your urinary tract, this can cause an infection.
What are the parts of the urinary tract that carry urine out of the body?
Your urinary tract includes the parts of your body that make urine and carry it out of your body. For men, these parts include your kidneys and bladder, as well as your ureters and urethra. Ureters are the twin tubes that carry urine from your kidneys to your bladder. Your urethra is the single tube that carries ...
How long do you need antibiotics for a urinary infection?
If you have a lower urinary tract infection, you’ll probably only need antibiotics for a week or less. If you have an upper-tract infection, you may need to take antibiotics for up to 2 weeks. In rare and severe cases, you may need to take antibiotics by IV in a hospital. UTI Causes and Risk Factors.
How do you know if you have a UTI?
Depending on the location of your UTI, you may have one or more of these symptoms: Frequent bathroom trips. Feeling like you have to pee all the time. Pain, burning, or discomfort while peeing or just after. Pain or tenderness below your stomach. Wetting the bed.
What happens if you have a UTI?
When you have a UTI, the bacteria infect the lining of your urinary tract. This leads to inflammation and irritation, causing red blood cells to leak into your urine. If there’s a tiny amount of blood in your urine, it won’t be visible to the naked eye. This is called microscopic hematuria.
What to drink to get rid of UTI?
While you’re being treated for a UTI, drink lots of fluids. This will make you pee more often, which flushes bacteria out of your body. The best choice is water. To avoid worsening your symptoms, limit beverages that irritate the urinary tract. These drinks include: coffee.
Why does my urine feel bloody?
If you menstruate, you might wonder if your bloody urine is caused by a UTI or menstruation. Along with urinary bleeding, UTIs and periods share symptoms like: lower back pain. abdominal or pelvis pain. fatigue (in severe UTIs)
Why do I pee so much?
Most UTIs are caused by bacteria and affect the bladder and urethra. When your urinary tract is infected, it can be painful to pee. You might feel a persistent urge to urinate, even after you’ve gone to the bathroom. Your pee might look cloudy and smell unusual, too. A UTI can also cause bloody urine, which is also called hematuria.
Why does urine look red?
Takeaway. It’s “normal for a UTI to cause bloody urine. It happens because the infection-causing bacteria in your urinary tract cause inflammation and irritation to your cells there. Your urine may look pink, red, or cola-colored. If you have bleeding from a UTI, or if you have other UTI symptoms, see your doctor.
What are the symptoms of a swollen bladder?
difficulty starting the urine stream. frequent urination (frequency) constant urge to pee (urgency), even if you’ve already urinated. pressure or pain in your abdomen, sides, pelvis, or lower back. cloudy, foul-smelling urine. bloody urine (red, pink, or cola-colored) These symptoms show up in the early stages.
What does it mean when your urine is red?
This is called microscopic hematuria. A doctor will be able to see the blood when they look at your urine sample under a microscope. But if there’s enough blood to change the color of your urine, you have what’s called gross hematuria. Your pee might look red, pink, or brown like cola.
Overview
Symptoms
Causes
Risk Factors
Complications
Prevention
- Urinary tract infections don't always cause signs and symptoms, but when they do they may include: 1. A strong, persistent urge to urinate 2. A burning sensation when urinating 3. Passing frequent, small amounts of urine 4. Urine that appears cloudy 5. Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored — a sign of blood in the urine 6. Strong-smelling urine 7. Pelvic pain, in women — …
Diagnosis
- 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. Th...
Treatment
- Urinary tract infections are common in women, and many women experience more than one infection during their lifetimes. Risk factors specific to women for UTIsinclude: 1. Female anatomy.A woman has a shorter urethra than a man does, which shortens the distance that bacteria must travel to reach the bladder. 2. Sexual activity. Sexually active women tend to have …
Clinical Trials
- When treated promptly and properly, lower urinary tract infections rarely lead to complications. But left untreated, a urinary tract infection can have serious consequences. Complications of a UTImay include: 1. Recurrent infections, especially in women who experience two or more UTIsin a six-month period or four or more within a year. 2. Permanent kidney damage from an acute or …
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- You can take these steps to reduce your risk of urinary tract infections: 1. 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. 2. Drink cranberry juice. Although studies are not conclusive that cranberry juice prevents UTIs, i…
Alternative Medicine
Preparing For Your Appointment
- Antibiotics usually are the first line treatment for urinary tract infections. Which drugs are prescribed and for how long depend on your health condition and the type of bacteria found in your urine.