Urinary Tract Infection And Treatment

Will A Uti Go Away On Its Own

Some UTIs can go away on their own. A 2022 article states that some uncomplicated UTIs can resolve spontaneously without treatment, but that some people need to see a doctor to relieve their symptoms.

A person should always see a doctor if they develop symptoms of a UTI as they can progress into a kidney infection.

How Does It Occur

Normally the urinary tract does not have any bacteria or other organisms in it. Bacteria that cause UTI often spread from the rectum to the urethra and then to the bladder or kidneys. Sometimes bacteria spread from another part of the body through the bloodstream to the urinary tract. Urinary tract infection is less common in men than in women because the male urethra is long, making it difficult for bacteria to spread to the bladder.

Urinary tract infection may be caused by a sexually transmitted disease. Sometimes a stone in the urinary tract blocks the flow of urine and causes an infection. In older men, an enlarged prostate can cause a urinary tract infection by keeping urine from draining out of the bladder completely. Infection might also be caused by the use of a catheter used to drain the bladder or by urethral stricture, which is a narrowing of the urethra by scar tissue from previous infections or surgical procedures.

You may be more likely to have a UTI if you have diabetes or another medical problem that affects the immune system.

Am I At Risk Of A Uti

While UTIs can happen to anyone, they are more common in females who are sexually active or menopausal, or have health conditions such as diabetes or urinary incontinence. Females who use spermicides or diaphragms as contraception are also at increased risk of UTIs, and may benefit from other contraceptive options if they get recurrent UTIs.

Some people at greater risk of developing urinary tract infections:

• Females nearly 1 in 3 females will have a UTI that needs treatment before the age of 24.
• Males with prostate problems an enlarged prostate gland can cause the bladder to only partially empty, raising the risk of infection.
• Older people some medications and problems with incontinence mean that older people are more likely to get a UTI.
• People with urinary catheters people who are critically ill and people who cant empty their bladder are at a greater risk of infection.
• People with diabetes changes to the immune system make people with diabetes more vulnerable to infection.
• Infants babies in nappies commonly get UTIs, in particular, infants born with physical problems of the urinary system are at greater risk.

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How Are Utis Treated

UTIs are treated with antibiotics. After several days of antibiotics, your doctor may repeat the urine tests to be sure that the infection is gone. It’s important to make sure of this because an incompletely treated UTI can come back or spread.

If a child has severe pain when peeing, the doctor may also prescribe medicine that numbs the lining of the urinary tract.

Give prescribed antibiotics on schedule for as many days as your doctor directs. Keep track of your child’s trips to the bathroom, and ask your child about symptoms like pain or burning during peeing. These symptoms should improve within 2 to 3 days after antibiotics are started.

Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids, but skip drinks that containe caffeine , such as soda and iced tea.

Most UTIs are cured within a week with treatment.

What Is The Prognosis For A Person With A Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infections typically respond very well to treatment. A UTI can be uncomfortable before you start treatment, but once your healthcare provider identifies the type of bacteria and prescribes the right antibiotic medication, your symptoms should improve quickly. Its important to keep taking your medication for the entire amount of time your healthcare provider prescribed. If you have frequent UTIs or if your symptoms arent improving, your provider may test to see if its an antibiotic-resistant infection. These are more complicated infections to treat and may require intravenous antibiotics or alternative treatments.

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Research And Statistics: Who Gets Urinary Tract Infections

In the United States, UTIs result in about 10 million doctor’s office visits annually. People of any age can get a UTI, though most commonly it affects women. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 40 to 60 percent of women develop a UTI during their lives.

Twelve percent of men will have symptoms of at least one UTI during their lives, per the American Urological Association. While UTIs are uncommon in young men, the risk of infection increases with age, especially in men over 50.

In children, UTIs are common and also occur more frequently in girls than boys. About 3 percent of girls and 1 percent of boys will have a UTI by the time they’re 11 years old.

Drink Plenty Of Fluids

Dehydration is linked to an increased risk of UTIs.

This is because regular urination can help flush bacteria from the urinary tract to prevent infection. When youre dehydrated, you arent urinating as often, which can create a breeding ground for bacteria.

A examined nursing home residents and administered a drinking schedule to participants to increase their fluid intake. Following the schedule decreased UTIs requiring antibiotics by 56%.

In a 2020 randomized control trial , 140 premenopausal participants prone to UTIs took part in a 12-month study to test if a higher fluid intake would decrease their risk of recurrent cystitis and, in turn, their risk of developing a UTI. Researchers found that an increase in fluid intake led to a decrease in UTI frequency.

To stay hydrated and meet your fluid needs, its best to drink water throughout the day and always when youre thirsty.

Benefits of drinking more fluids for UTI

Drinking plenty of liquids can decrease your risk of UTIs by making you pee more, which helps remove bacteria from your urinary tract.

evidence suggests that increasing your intake of vitamin C could protect against UTIs.

Vitamin C is thought to work by increasing the acidity of urine, killing off the bacteria that cause infection.

An older 2007 study of UTIs in pregnant women looked at the effects of taking 100 milligrams of vitamin C every day.

Fruits and vegetables are especially high in vitamin C and are a good way to increase your intake.

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Why Do Women Get Urinary Tract Infections More Often Than Men

Women tend to get urinary tract infections more often than men because bacteria can reach the bladder more easily in women. The urethra is shorter in women than in men, so bacteria have a shorter distance to travel.

The urethra is located near the rectum in women. Bacteria from the rectum can easily travel up the urethra and cause infections. Bacteria from the rectum is more likely to get into the urethra if you wipe from back to front after a bowel movement. Be sure to teach children how to wipe correctly.

Having sex may also cause urinary tract infections in women because bacteria can be pushed into the urethra. Using a diaphragm can lead to infections because diaphragms push against the urethra and make it harder to completely empty your bladder. The urine that stays in the bladder is more likely to grow bacteria and cause infections.

Differential Diagnosis Of Uti In Men

Chronic bacterial prostatitis causes recurrent UTIs, and usually the same bacterial strain is found with each episode. However, only about 10% of men with chronic prostatitis symptoms actually have chronic bacterial prostatitis, with E. coli being the most common organism.

Urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men may cause lower urinary tract symptoms . Urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome encompasses the related diagnosis that occurs in both men and women, called painful bladder syndrome or interstitial cystitis. Typical symptoms include chronic pelvic pain, often with urinary urgency and frequency. If no infection is found, routine use of antibiotics is not recommended.

Kidney stones and bladder stones can cause UTI-like symptoms, usually with gross or microscopic hematuria. If stone disease is suspected, imaging with a renal stone protocol abdominal CT is recommended.

Prostate cancer is typically asymptomatic in its early stages, but can cause lower urinary tract symptoms or urinary retention in some men. A full discussion is beyond the scope of this guideline, but an elevated PSA or abnormal prostate on digital rectal exam are indications for a urology consultation.

Epididymitis, orchitis, and epididymo-orchitis may be due to a bacterial infection or an STI such as Neisseria gonorrhea or Chlamydia trachomatis. Viral causes are also possible, so when orchitis is present, consider testing for mumps using a buccal swab, especially if parotitis is also present.

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How Are Urinary Tract Infections Diagnosed

Your doctor will use the following tests to diagnose a urinary tract infection:

• Urinalysis: This test will examine the urine for red blood cells, white blood cells and bacteria. The number of white and red blood cells found in your urine can actually indicate an infection.
• Urine culture: A urine culture is used to determine the type of bacteria in your urine. This is an important test because it helps determine the appropriate treatment.

If your infection does not respond to treatment or if you keep getting infections over and over again, your doctor may use the following tests to examine your urinary tract for disease or injury:

• Ultrasound: In this test, sound waves create an image of the internal organs. This test is done on top of your skin, is painless and doesnt typically need any preparation.
• Cystoscopy: This test uses a special instrument fitted with a lens and a light source to see inside the bladder from the urethra.
• CT scan: Another imaging test, a CT scan is a type of X-ray that takes cross sections of the body . This test is much more precise than typical X-rays.

How Is A Chronic Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosed

If you have a chronic UTI, you probably had a UTI in the past.

Performing lab tests on a sample of urine is the most common method doctors use to diagnose UTIs. A medical professional will examine the sample of urine under a microscope, looking for signs of bacteria.

In a urine culture test, a technician places a urine sample in a tube to encourage the growth of bacteria. After one to three days, theyll look at the bacteria to determine the best treatment.

If your doctor suspects kidney damage, they may order X-rays and kidney scans. These imaging devices take pictures of parts inside your body.

If you have recurring UTIs, your doctor may want to perform a cystoscopy. In this procedure, theyll use a cystoscope. Its a long, thin tube with a lens at the end used to look inside your urethra and bladder. Your doctor will look for any abnormalities or issues that could cause the UTI to keep coming back.

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How To Prevent Uti Re

Following some tips can help you avoid getting another UTI:

• Empty your bladder often as soon as you feel the need to pee don’t rush, and be sure you’ve emptied your bladder completely.
• Wipe from front to back after you use the toilet.
• Drink lots of water.
• Choose showers over baths.
• Stay away from feminine hygiene sprays, scented douches, and scented bath products they’ll only increase irritation.
• Cleanse your genital area before sex.
• Pee after sex to flush out any bacteria that may have entered your urethra.
• If you use a diaphragm, unlubricated condoms, or spermicidal jelly for birth control, you may want to switch to another method. Diaphragms can increase bacteria growth, while unlubricated condoms and spermicides can irritate your urinary tract. All can make UTI symptoms more likely.
• Keep your genital area dry by wearing cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes. Donââ¬â¢t wear tight jeans and nylon underwear they can trap moisture, creating the perfect environment for bacteria growth.

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Chronic Urinary Tract Infection

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What is a chronic urinary tract infection?

Chronic urinary tract infections are infections of the urinary tract that either dont respond to treatment or keep recurring. They may either continue to affect your urinary tract despite getting the right treatment, or they may recur after treatment.

Your urinary tract is the pathway that makes up your urinary system. It includes the following:

• Your kidneys filter your blood and generate body waste in the form of urine.
• Your ureters are tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
• Your bladder collects and stores urine.
• Your urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of your body.

A UTI can affect any part of your urinary system. When an infection only affects your bladder, its usually a minor illness that can be easily treated. However, if it spreads to your kidneys, you may suffer from serious health consequences, and may even need to be hospitalized.

Although UTIs can happen to anyone at any age, theyre more prevalent in women. In fact, the

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Care For Urinary Symptoms In Southeastern Ma & Ri

Signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection include:

• Frequent urge to urinate

If you have three or more urinary tract infections in a year, your doctor may prescribe additional treatment to help prevent future UTIs.

If necessary, your urgent care provider can refer you to a qualified specialist nearby. Southcoast Health is a comprehensive network that can fully address your specialist needs.

What Can Happen If A Uti Is Not Treated

If treated right away, a UTI is not likely to damage your urinary tract. But if your UTI is not treated, the infection can spread to the kidneys and other parts of your body. The most common symptoms of kidney infection are fever and pain in the back where the kidneys are located. Antibiotics can also treat kidney infections.

Sometimes the infection can get in the bloodstream. This is rare but life-threatening.

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Complicating Factors And Medical Conditions

The most severe complication of UTI is urosepsis, with a mortality rate of 20-40%. The underlying infection usually is a complicated UTI involving a urogenital organ, typically prostate or kidney. Obstructive pyelonephritis due to urolithiasis is the most common cause of urosepsis, but about 17% of cases are associated with urological procedures. The elderly, diabetics, and immunosuppressed are at highest risk. Management of urosepsis is beyond the scope of this guideline, but rapid diagnosis and prompt intensive care are essential.

Patients with complicating factors and medical conditions are at increased risk of developing pyelonephritis or infection with resistant organisms. Complicating factors are listed in . It is necessary to differentiate these patients from those with uncomplicated UTI in terms both of evaluation and treatment. Unlike patients with uncomplicated UTI, care for those with complicating factors may include:

• Culture. Obtain pretreatment urine culture and sensitivity.
• Treatment. Initiate longer antibiotic treatment course.
• Possible structural evaluation. If there is concern for concurrent urolithiasis or urinary tract structural or functional abnormality, consider CT with and without IV contrast and urology consultation for cystoscopy.

Urinary Tract Infection Treatment

If you are a healthy adult man or a woman who is not pregnant, a few days of antibiotic pills will usually cure your urinary tract infection. If you are pregnant, your doctor will prescribe a medicine that is safe for you and the baby. Usually, symptoms of the infection go away 1 to 2 days after you start taking the medicine. Its important that you follow your doctors instructions for taking the medicine, even if you start to feel better. Skipping pills could make the treatment less effective.

Your doctor may also suggest a medicine to numb your urinary tract and make you feel better while the antibiotic starts to work. The medicine makes your urine turn bright orange, so dont be alarmed by the color when you urinate.

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Children And Urinary Tract Infections

Symptoms in children are different from symptoms in adults. Urinary tract infections are quite common in children. While UTIs in very young children are often associated with an anatomic abnormality, for others the infection is related to introducing bacteria into the urinary tract. UTIs in children generally peak in infancy and then again between ages 2 and 4, coinciding with potty training.

In newborns, signs of urinary tract infection include poor feeding, lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, mild jaundice, and fever. For babies younger than 2, foul-smelling urine may also be a sign. For older children, the more classic UTI signs, such as urgency, incontinence, and pain while urinating occur.