Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) – Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatments

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that affects part of the urinary tract involving the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. It is second only to respiratory infection as the most common type of infection. Women are found to be at a higher risk as compared to men, as their urethra is shorter and closer to the anus, which makes it easier for bacteria to enter into the urinary tract. Each year about 150 million people develop UTI each year. Risk factors include poor personal hygiene, female anatomy, sexual intercourse, diabetes, obesity, bowel incontinence, menopause, large prostate, suppressed immune system and family history. People with spinal cord injury are also found to be at increased risk for UTI as there is chronic use of catheter and voiding dysfunction. It is mainly caused by the bacteria Escherichia coli (80-85%), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (5-10%), other bacteria or fungi may rarely be the cause. Bacteria typically enter the bladder via urethra and the infection may occur via blood or lymph. Common symptoms include fever, dysuria (painful urination), lower flank pain, strong urge to urinate, cloudy or strong smelling urine, nausea, abdominal pain and muscle aches. Diagnostic tests to detect UTI includes urine sample testing, wherein a person collects the urine sample mid-flow after washing the genitals to assess the presence of RBC, WBC, and bacteria. This method is known as clean catch . Other tests include cystoscopy, x-ray, CT and MRI scanning. Its preventive measures include drinking lots of water; to eliminate the bacteria outside the body, urinating frequently, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, keeping the genitals clean, urinating shortly after sex, wiping from front to back after urinating and bowel movement.

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Treatment includes short course of antibiotics for people with recurrent infections. Medications include NITRAFURANTOIN, TRIMETHOPRIM, and METHENAMINE. In post-menopausal women, topical vaginal estrogen is usually given to reduce the recurrence. It is advised to use the following medicines under gynecologist or your physician care.