How to Know if You Have a Urine Infection

A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection of the urinary tract. The infection can occur at different points in the urinary tract, including the:

• 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 have urine from each kidney to the bladder are rarely the only site of infection.
• Urethra -- An infection of the tube that empties urine from the bladder to the outside is chosen urethritis.

Almost UTIs are caused by leaner that enter the urethra and then the float. The infection well-nigh normally develops in the bladder, merely can spread to the kidneys. Nigh of the fourth dimension, your torso can become rid of these leaner. However, certain conditions increase the risk for 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 command. Menopause besides increases the risk for a UTI.

The following as well increase your chances of developing a UTI:

• Diabetes
• Advanced age and conditions that affect personal intendance habits (such as Alzheimer disease and delirium)
• Issues elimination the float completely
• Having a urinary catheter
• Bowel incontinence
• Enlarged prostate, narrowed urethra, or anything that blocks the flow of urine
• Kidney stones
• Staying nevertheless (immobile) for a long period of time (for case, while you are recovering from a hip fracture)
• Pregnancy
• Surgery or other process involving the urinary tract

The symptoms of a bladder infection include:

• Cloudy or encarmine urine, which may have a foul or strong odor
• Depression grade fever in some people
• Pain or burning with urination
• Pressure level or cramping in the lower abdomen or back
• Strong need to urinate often, even correct after the float 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 higher up 101°F (38.3°C)
• Pain in the side, back, or groin
• Flushed, warm, or reddened skin
• Mental changes or confusion (in older people, these symptoms often are the only signs of a UTI)
• Nausea and airsickness
• Very bad abdominal pain (sometimes)

Most of the fourth dimension, you will need to provide a urine sample for the following tests:

• Urinalysis -- This examination is done to wait for white blood cells, scarlet claret cells, bacteria, and to test chemicals such as nitrites in the urine. This test can diagnose an infection almost of the time.
• Make clean-catch urine culture -- This test may be done to identify the bacteria and determine the best antibody for treatment.

Claret tests such as complete blood count (CBC) and a blood culture may exist done too.

You may as well need the following tests to assistance rule out other problems in your urinary organisation:

• CT scan of the belly
• Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)
• Kidney browse
• Kidney ultrasound
• Voiding cystourethrogram

Your health intendance provider must first decide if the infection is simply in the float, or if it has spread to the kidneys and how severe it is.

Balmy Float AND KIDNEY INFECTIONS

• Nigh of the time, y'all will demand to take an antibiotic to prevent the infection from spreading to the kidneys.
• For a simple float infection, you will take antibiotics for 3 days (women) or seven to fourteen days (men).
• If you lot are significant or take diabetes, or have a mild kidney infection, you volition most oft have antibiotics for 7 to 14 days.
• Finish all of the antibiotics, even if you lot feel better. If you lot do non stop the whole dose of medicine, the infection may return and exist harder to treat later.
• Always drink plenty of h2o when you have a bladder or kidney infection.
• Tell your provider if you lot might be meaning before taking these drugs.

RECURRENT Bladder INFECTIONS

Some women accept repeated float infections. Your provider may propose that you:

• Take a single dose of an antibiotic after sexual contact to prevent an infection.
• Have a 3-24-hour interval course of antibiotics at domicile to utilise if you lot develop an infection.
• Have a single, daily dose of an antibody to prevent infections.

More Astringent KIDNEY INFECTIONS

You may need to go into the infirmary if you are very ill and cannot take medicines past mouth or drink enough fluids. You lot may too be admitted to the hospital if you:

• Are an older developed
• 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 significant and have a fever or are otherwise ill

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

Some people have UTIs that practise not become abroad with handling or keep coming back. These are called chronic UTIs. If you accept a chronic UTI, you may demand stronger antibiotics or to take medicine for a longer time.

You may demand surgery if the infection is acquired past a problem with the structure of the urinary tract.

Most UTIs can be cured. Bladder infection symptoms most oftentimes get abroad within 24 to 48 hours after handling begins. If you have a kidney infection, it may accept 1 calendar week or longer for symptoms to go abroad.

Complications may include:

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

Contact your provider if you have symptoms of a UTI. Call right away if you take signs of a possible kidney infection, such equally:

• Back or side pain
• Chills
• Fever
• Vomiting

Also telephone call if UTI symptoms come up dorsum before long later on you lot have been treated with antibiotics.

Nutrition and lifestyle changes may assistance foreclose some UTIs. After menopause, a woman may apply estrogen cream around the vagina to reduce infections.

Bladder infection - adults; UTI - adults; Cystitis - bacterial - adults; Pyelonephritis - adults; Kidney infection - adults

Cooper KL, Badalato GM, Rutman MP. Infections of the urinary tract. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 55.

Nicolle LE, Drekonja D. Arroyo to the patient with urinary tract infection. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 268.

Sobel JD, Brown P. Urinary tract infections. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. ninth ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 72.

Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, Physician, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, Academy of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed past David Zieve, Doctor, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Manager, and the A.D.A.Chiliad. Editorial team.

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Source: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000521.htm

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