Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) or Recurrent UTI
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a general term encompassing any infection in the urinary system. This could be an infection of the urethra (urethritis), bladder (cystitis), ureter (ureteritis) or kidney (pyelonephritis). An infection occurs when bacteria enter the urinary system and multiplies, in turn causing symptoms of the affected organ. Generally, there should never be any bacteria in the urinary system, but in certain situations you can have colonization (bacteria that don’t cause symptoms) if you chronically use a catheter.
Men- It is unusual for a man to get an infection. Any infection in a man should be worked up fully to find the cause.
Women- It is much more common for women to get a UTI. Any more than 2 infections a year or any type of severe infection that causes hospitalization or resistant to antibiotics should be evaluated by a urologist.
Symptoms:
Symptoms of a UTI vary and depend on the severity of infection and the organ it is affecting
Symptoms may include:
- Dysuria- burning with urination
- Frequency of urination
- Urgency of urination
- Cloudy urine
- Difficulty with urination
- Foul smelling urine
- Back pain
- Pelvic discomfort
- Fever
- Chills
- Flank pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Risk Factors:
- History of recurrent infections
- History of kidney stones
- Dehydration
- Sexual activity
- Retention of urine
- Medical conditions like diabetes
- Medications that lower immunity- such as steroids, chemotherapy or transplant medications
- Hormonal changes including Menopause in women
- Pregnancy
- Prolapsed bladder
- Urethral stricture (narrowing of the urethra)
- Uncircumcised penis
Evaluation and Diagnosis:
Once symptoms occur and before starting antibiotics it is important to leave a urine sample.
Urinalysis- an in-office dip stick to check for infection
Urine culture- a urine laboratory test that takes 2-3 days to grow bacteria and tell us exactly what bacteria it is and what antibiotics will work
Depending on the circumstances Dr. Shaba may order:
Cystoscopy- a small flexible camera for the urethra and bladder done in the office under local anesthesia
Imaging- may include CT scan, ultrasound or x-rays
Treatment:
UTI’s are generally treated with antibiotics. The antibiotic choice is determined by the urine culture results, but if you have severe symptoms Dr. Shaba may start you on antibiotics before the culture results and then change them if needed.
Also, if an underlying cause of the infection is found, this needs to be corrected. Otherwise, the infection will be prone to coming back- sometimes more severe and harder to treat. Do not delay treatment when you get symptoms of a UTI.
For more information please visit: https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/u/urinary-tract-infections-in-adults
