Urinary tract infections: What you need to know

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was written by Doctor Dang Anh Son - Emergency Department, Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary system - the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract - the bladder and the urethra.

Women are more at risk of UTIs than men. An infection confined to your bladder can be painful and uncomfortable. However, serious consequences can occur if a UTI spreads to your kidneys.
Doctors usually treat urinary tract infections with antibiotics. But you can take steps to reduce your risk of getting a UTI in the first place.

1. Symptoms of urinary tract infection

Urinary tract infections do not always cause signs and symptoms, but when they do, they can include:
A strong and persistent urge to urinate Burning sensation when urinating Often frequent urination small amounts Cloudy urine Red, bright pink, or cola-colored urine - a sign of hematuria Strong-smelling urine Pelvic pain, in women - especially in the center of the bones pelvis and around the pubic area UTIs can be overlooked or confused with other conditions in older adults.

2. Types of urinary tract infections

Each type of UTI can lead to more specific signs and symptoms, depending on which part of your urinary tract is infected.

3. Diagnosis of urinary tract infection

When you have symptoms that suggest a UTI: Hematuria, cloudy urine, frequent urination, pelvic pain..
Tests and procedures used to diagnose a urinary tract infection include: include:
Analysis of urine samples. Your doctor may order a urine sample for laboratory analysis to look for white blood cells, red blood cells, or bacteria. To avoid possible contamination of the sample, you may be instructed to first wipe your genitals with an antiseptic swab and collect urine midstream. Growing urinary tract bacteria in the laboratory. Laboratory urinalysis is sometimes followed by a urine culture. This test tells your doctor which bacteria is causing your infection and which medications will be most effective. Create an image of your urinary tract. If you have frequent infections that your doctor thinks may be caused by an abnormality in your urinary tract, you may have an ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Your doctor may also use contrast dye to highlight structures in your urinary tract. Use the cystoscope to see the inside of your bladder. If you have recurrent UTIs, your doctor may perform a cystoscopy, which uses a long, thin tube with a lens (cystoscope) to look inside your urethra and bladder. The cystoscope is inserted into the urethra and passed through the bladder.

4. Treatment of urinary tract infections

Antibiotics are often the first line of treatment for urinary tract infections. Which medicine is prescribed and for how long depends on your health condition and the type of bacteria found in your urine.

5. Prevention of urinary tract infections

You can take the following steps to reduce your risk of urinary tract infections:
Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Drinking water helps dilute your urine and ensures that you'll urinate more often - allowing bacteria to be cleared from the urinary tract before an infection can begin. Wipe from front to back. Doing so after urinating and after having a bowel movement helps prevent bacteria in the anal area from spreading to the vagina and urethra. Empty your bladder right after intercourse. Also, drink a full glass of water to help eliminate bacteria. Avoid potentially irritating feminine products. Using deodorant sprays or other feminine products, such as douches and powders, in the genital area can irritate the urethra. Change your birth control method. Diaphragms, or condoms that are not lubricated or treated with spermicide, can all contribute to bacterial growth.

6. Basic questions to ask the doctor when examining a urinary tract infection

For UTIs, basic questions to ask your doctor include:
What is the most likely cause of my signs and symptoms? Is there any other possible cause? Do I need any tests to confirm the diagnosis? What factors do you think may have contributed to my UTI? What treatment do you recommend? If the first treatment didn't work, what would you recommend next? Am I at risk for complications from this condition? What is the risk that this problem will recur? What steps can I take to reduce my risk of recurrence? Should I see a specialist?

Your doctor will likely ask you a number of questions, including:
When did you first notice your symptoms? Have you ever been treated for a bladder or kidney infection? What is your level of discomfort? How often do you pee? Are your symptoms relieved by urinating? Do you have low back pain? Have you had a fever yet? Have you noticed vaginal discharge or blood in your urine? Are you sexually active? Do you use birth control? What kind? Can you get pregnant? Are you being treated for any other medical condition? Have you ever used a urinary catheter? Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading medical professionals, a system of modern equipment and technology. The hospital provides comprehensive and professional medical examination, consultation and treatment services, with a civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space. Customers when choosing to perform tests here can be completely assured of the accuracy of test results.

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