Urinary tract infection (patient information)

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Urinary tract infection

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Urinary tract infection?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

## Overview

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A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection that can happen anywhere along the urinary tract. Urinary tract infections have different names, depending on what part of the urinary tract is infected. ' Bladder -- an infection in the bladder is also called cystitis or a bladder infection Kidneys -- an infection of one or both kidneys is called pyelonephritis or a kidney infection Ureters -- the tubes that take urine from each kidney to the bladder are only rarely the site of infection Urethra -- an infection of the tube that empties urine from the bladder to the outside is called urethritis

## What are the symptoms of Urinary tract infection?

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The symptoms of a bladder infection include:

* Cloudy or bloody urine, which may have a foul or strong odor
* Low fever (not everyone will have a fever)
* Pain or burning with urination
* Pressure or cramping in the lower abdomen (usually middle) or back
* Strong need to urinate often, even right after the bladder has been emptied

If the infection spreads to your kidneys, symptoms may include:

* Chills and shaking or night sweats
* Fatigue and a general ill feeling
* Fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit
* Flank (side), back, or groin pain
* Flushed, warm, or reddened skin
* Mental changes or confusion (in the elderly, these symptoms often are the only signs of a UTI)
* Nausea and vomiting
* Severe abdominal pain (sometimes)

## What causes Urinary tract infection?

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Urinary tract infections are caused by germs, usually bacteria that enter the urethra and then the bladder. This can lead to infection, most commonly in the bladder itself, which can spread to the kidneys.Most of the time, your body can get rid of these bacteria. However, certain conditions increase the risk of having UTIs.Women tend to get them more often because their urethra is shorter and closer to the anus than in men. Because of this, women are more likely to get an infection after sexual activity or when using a diaphragm for birth control. Menopause also increases the risk of a UTI. The following also increase your chances of developing a UTI:

* Diabetes
* Advanced age (especially people in nursing homes)
* Problems emptying your bladder completely (urinary retention)
* A tube called a urinary catheter inserted into your urinary tract
* Bowel incontinence
* Enlarged prostate, narrowed urethra, or anything that blocks the flow of urine
* Kidney stones
* Staying still (immobile) for a long period of time (for example, while you are recovering from a hip fracture)
* Pregnancy
* Surgery or other procedure involving the urinary tract

## Who is at highest risk?

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Women are more prone to urinary tract infections as germs in the vagina can be pushed into the urethra during regular bowel movements, sexual intercourse, or use of certain birth control methods such as diaphragms. Individuals with catheters are also at an increased risk for urinary tract infections as germs can travel through the catheter tube. Individuals with decreased immune capacity are also at risk.

## Diagnosis

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A urine sample is usually collected to perform the following tests:

* Urinalysis is done to look for white blood cells, red blood cells, bacteria, and to test for certain chemicals, such as nitrites in the urine. Most of the time, your doctor or nurse can diagnose an infection using a urinalysis.
* Urine culture - clean catch may be done to identify the bacteria in the urine to make sure the correct antibiotic is being used for treatment.

CBC and a blood culture may be done.

The following tests may be done to help rule out problems in your urinary system that might lead to infection or make a UTI harder to treat:

* CT scan of the abdomen
* Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)
* Kidney scan
* Kidney ultrasound
* Voiding cystourethrogram

## When to seek urgent medical care?

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Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of a UTI. Call right away if the following symptoms develop:

* Back or side pain
* Chills
* Fever
* Vomiting

These may be signs of a possible kidney infection.

Also call if you have already been diagnosed with a UTI and the symptoms come back shortly after treatment with antibiotics.

## Treatment options

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Your doctor must first decide whether you have a mild or simple bladder or kidney infection, or whether your infection is more serious.

### Mild bladder and kidney infections

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Antibiotics taken by mouth are usually recommended because there is a risk that the infection can spread to the kidneys.

For a simple bladder infection, you will take antibiotics for 3 days (women) or 7 - 14 days (men). For a bladder infection with complications such as pregnancy or diabetes, OR a mild kidney infection, you will usually take antibiotics for 7 - 14 days. It is important that you finish all the antibiotics, even if you feel better. If you do not finish all your antibiotics, the infection could return and may be harder to treat. Commonly used antibiotics include trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin, Augmentin, doxycycline, and fluoroquinolones. Your doctor will also want to know whether you could be pregnant.

Your doctor may also recommend drugs to relieve the burning pain and urgent need to urinate. Phenazopyridine hydrochloride (Pyridium) is the most common of this type of drug. You will still need to take antibiotics. Everyone with a bladder or kidney infection should drink plenty of fluids. Some women have repeat or recurrent bladder infections. Your doctor may suggest several different ways of treating these.

Taking a single dose of an antibiotic after sexual contact may prevent these infections, which occur after sexual activity. Having a 3-day course of antibiotics at home to use for infections diagnosed based on your symptoms may work for some women. Some women may also try taking a single, daily dose of an antibiotic to prevent infections.

### More severe kidney infections

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If you are very sick and cannot take medicines by mouth or drink enough fluids, you may be admitted to the hospital. You may also be admitted to the hospital if you:

* Are elderly
* Have kidney stones or changes in the anatomy of your urinary tract
* Have recently had urinary tract surgery
* Have cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, or other medical problems
* Are pregnant and have a fever or are otherwise ill

At the hospital, you will receive fluids and antibiotics through a vein.

Some people have urinary tract infections that keep coming back or that do not go away with treatment. Such infections are called chronic UTIs. If you have a chronic UTI, you may need antibiotics for many months, or stronger antibiotics may be prescribed. If a structural (anatomical) problem is causing the infection, surgery may be recommended.

## Where to find medical care for Urinary tract infection?

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Directions to Hospitals Treating Urinary tract infection

## What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

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A urinary tract infection is uncomfortable, but treatment is usually successful. Symptoms of a bladder infection usually disappear within 24 - 48 hours after treatment begins. If you have a kidney infection, it may take 1 week or longer for your symptoms to go away.

## Possible complications

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* Life-threatening blood infection (sepsis) - risk is greater among the young, very old adults, and those whose bodies cannot fight infections (for example, due to HIV or cancer chemotherapy)
* Kidney damage or scarring
* Kidney infection

## Sources

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http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000521.htm Template:WH Template:WS