UTI - Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections (UTI) occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract and urethra and multiply. These infections typically develop in the lower urinary tract before progressing to the upper urinary tract if they remain untreated. Bladder infections (cystitis) are the most common form of urinary tract infections, but UTIs can also manifest as infections of the urethra or kidney infections. Women are more prone than men to developing UTIs. Children under the age of two can also develop this infection. E. coli is the most common bacterial cause of UTIs. Other forms of bacteria can also cause UTIs. Men and women sometimes can transmit bacteria to their partner during sexual intercourse, causing a UTI.

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Symptoms

Symptoms in young children may include:

Diarrhea
Loss of appetite
Fever
Nausea and vomiting
Excessive crying for unknown reasons

Symptoms in older children may include:

Frequent urination
Incontinence
Painful urination
Cloudy or unusual smelling urine
Continuous production of small amounts of urine
Pain in the abdomen or pelvic area
Flank or lower back pain (with a kidney infection)

Symptoms of lower UTIs may include:

Back pain
Blood in the urine
Cloudy urine
Inability to urinate
Frequent urination
Painful urination
Pelvic discomfort

Symptoms of upper UTIs may include:

Chills
High fever
Nausea
Vomiting
Pain below the ribs

Causes and Risk Factors of Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections (UTI) occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract and urethra and multiply. These infections typically develop in the lower urinary tract before progressing to the upper urinary tract if they remain untreated. Bladder infections (cystitis) are the most common form of urinary tract infections, but UTIs can also manifest as infections of the urethra or kidney infections. Women are more prone than men to developing UTIs. Children under the age of two can also develop this infection. E. coli is the most common bacterial cause of UTIs. Other forms of bacteria can also cause UTIs. Men and women infected with some sexually transmitted diseases can transmit bacteria to their partner during sexual intercourse, causing a UTI. Other UTI risk factors include:

Long-term urinary catheterization
Soiled diapers in infants and toddlers
Bladder outlet obstructions including, kidney stones or BPH
Incomplete bladder emptying
Congenital urinary tract abnormalities
Suppressed immune systems
Certain blood types that make it easier for bacteria to attach to the cells lining the urinary tract

Diagnosing a UTI

A UTI is diagnosed through a clean-catch urine specimen. Clean catch is obtained by cleansing the area around the urethral opening or by catheterization and collecting a mid-stream urine sample. Then, a urinalysis is performed to determine a white blood cell count (WBC) or look for bacteria or nitrates in the urine. These may indicate a bacterial infection.

Treatments

Bladder and urinary tract infections are typically treated with antibiotic medication. The dosage and length of time of the prescription depend on the form of infection. People can take the following measures to prevent UTIs:

Change soiled diapers promptly
Drink lots of water
Rarely resist the urge to urinate
Urinate after sexual intercourse

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