A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is when bacteria gets into the urinary tract which encompasses the kidneys, bladder, and urethra. The most common is Bladder infection know as Cystitis. Kidney infection (pyelonephritis), while less common, can occur and is a more serious condition because a kidney infection can spread into the bloodstream and cause a life-threatening health issue.
UTIs cause more than 8.1 million visits to health care providers each year. About 60% of women and 12% of men will have at least one UTI during their lifetime. UTIs are more common in females because their urethras are shorter and closer to the rectum, this makes it easier for bacteria to enter the urinary tract.
When you have a UTI, the lining of the bladder and urethra become red and irritated just as your throat does when you have a cold. This irritation is what causes the majority of the symptoms associated with UTIs. Symptoms will vary depending on which parts of the urinary tract are involved:
Urethra:
• Burning with urination
• Discharge or cloudy urine
Bladder:
• Pelvic pressure
• Lower belly discomfort
• A strong urge to urinate that doesn’t go away
• Frequent, painful urination
• Blood in urine
Kidneys:
• Back or side pain
• High fever
• Shaking and chills
• Nausea
• Vomiting
If you are worried about a UTI, then you should talk with your health care provider. UTIs can be found by analyzing a urine sample. The urine is examined under a microscope for bacteria or white blood cells, which are signs of infection. Your health care provider may also take a urine culture. This test examines urine to detect and identify bacteria and yeast, which may be causing a UTI.
Symptoms of UTIs often improve within a few days of antibiotics. As long as all UTI symptoms are resolved after the course of antibiotics is complete, you do not need another urine culture to prove that the infection is gone.
UTIs can be very bothersome so preventing getting one in the first place may be the best course of action. Some things you can do to lower the possibility of getting a UTIs are:
• Drink plenty of liquids, especially water. Drinking water helps dilute the urine. That leads to urinating more often allowing bacteria to be flushed from the urinary tract before an infection can begin.
• Wipe from front to back. Do this after urinating and after a bowel movement. It helps prevent the spread of bacteria from the anus to the vagina and urethra.
• Empty your bladder soon after having sex. Also drink a full glass of water to help flush bacteria.
Reference:
1.https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/uti.html#:~:text=UTIs%20are%20common%20infections%20that,is%20another%20type%20of%20UTI.
2.https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/u/urinary-tract-infections-in-adults
3.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447
