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Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
The "urinary tract" consists of the kidneys, the ureters, the bladder, and urethra. These organs together produce, store, and excrete urine.
Approximately 8 to 10 million people in the United States develop a UTI each year. Women are more prone to develop the condition.
The urinary tract can be infected from above - by bacteria entering the kidneys through the bloodstream, or from below - by bacteria entering the urethra and traveling upward.
In adults and older children, infection most often originates in the urethra.
Bacteria called Escherichia coli (E. coli) which is normally present in the bowel cause about 80% of urinary tract infections. Other bacteria that cause urinary tract infections include Klebsiella, Proteus, Enterbacter, Psedomonas, Group D strep, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and Chlamydia trachomatis.
Bacteria enter the opening of the urethra and then multiply in the lining of the urethra. If not treated, the infection progresses to the bladder, ureters, and finally affects the kidneys.
Symptoms of UTI are:
- Burning sensation during urination
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Sudden pressure to urinate immediately (sometimes incontinence may occur)
- Having the sensation to urinate but being unable to do so
- Cloudy urine which may be foul smelling
- Blood present in the urine
- A fever, vomiting or flank pain may mean that the infection has reached the kidneys
Treatment:
UTIs are treated with antibiotics. The type of drug used and the duration of treatment depends on the specifics of the patient, the symptoms and sometimes the type of bacteria that is detected by tests done on the urine samples.
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