Overview
A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when microorganisms, most commonly bacteria, infect part of the urinary tract. A bladder infection is the most common type of UTI, while infection can also involve the urethra, ureters or kidneys.
Early evaluation and appropriate treatment are important because an infection that begins in the lower urinary tract can sometimes spread to the kidneys. Treatment depends on the location and severity of the infection and the patient's individual circumstances.
Early evaluation and appropriate treatment are important because an infection that begins in the lower urinary tract can sometimes spread to the kidneys. Treatment depends on the location and severity of the infection and the patient's individual circumstances.
Common Symptoms
• Burning or pain while urinating
• Frequent need to urinate
• Sudden or strong urgency to urinate
• Passing small amounts of urine frequently
• Pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen
• Cloudy urine
• Blood in the urine
• Strong-smelling urine
When the infection involves the kidneys, symptoms may also include:
• Fever and chills
• Pain in the back, side or groin
• Nausea or vomiting
• Frequent need to urinate
• Sudden or strong urgency to urinate
• Passing small amounts of urine frequently
• Pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen
• Cloudy urine
• Blood in the urine
• Strong-smelling urine
When the infection involves the kidneys, symptoms may also include:
• Fever and chills
• Pain in the back, side or groin
• Nausea or vomiting
Possible Causes
UTIs are most often caused by bacteria entering and multiplying within the urinary tract.
Factors that may increase the risk of urinary infection include:
• Previous urinary tract infections
• Difficulty completely emptying the bladder
• Urinary tract obstruction
• Kidney stones
• Enlarged prostate
• Use of a urinary catheter
• Certain abnormalities of the urinary tract
• Diabetes or conditions affecting the immune system
In some patients, recurrent infections may require evaluation for an underlying urinary tract problem.
Factors that may increase the risk of urinary infection include:
• Previous urinary tract infections
• Difficulty completely emptying the bladder
• Urinary tract obstruction
• Kidney stones
• Enlarged prostate
• Use of a urinary catheter
• Certain abnormalities of the urinary tract
• Diabetes or conditions affecting the immune system
In some patients, recurrent infections may require evaluation for an underlying urinary tract problem.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis begins with an assessment of symptoms, medical history and physical examination.
Depending on the situation, evaluation may include:
• Urinalysis
• Urine culture
• Blood tests when a more serious infection is suspected
• Assessment of kidney function when clinically appropriate
• Ultrasound or other urinary tract imaging when required
• Additional evaluation for recurrent infections
Urine culture can help identify the bacteria causing the infection and assist the doctor in selecting appropriate treatment.
Depending on the situation, evaluation may include:
• Urinalysis
• Urine culture
• Blood tests when a more serious infection is suspected
• Assessment of kidney function when clinically appropriate
• Ultrasound or other urinary tract imaging when required
• Additional evaluation for recurrent infections
Urine culture can help identify the bacteria causing the infection and assist the doctor in selecting appropriate treatment.
Treatment & Procedures
Treatment depends on the location and severity of the infection and the underlying cause.
For a bacterial urinary tract infection, a doctor may prescribe an appropriate antibiotic based on the clinical assessment and, when available, laboratory results.
Treatment may also include measures to relieve symptoms and maintain appropriate hydration. The choice and duration of antibiotic treatment depend on factors such as the severity of infection, recurrence and urinary tract abnormalities.
If an infection has progressed to the kidneys, more intensive treatment may be required. Patients who are seriously unwell may require hospital care and intravenous antibiotics.
If urinary obstruction, a kidney stone or an enlarged prostate is contributing to the infection, treatment of the underlying obstruction may also be necessary.
For a bacterial urinary tract infection, a doctor may prescribe an appropriate antibiotic based on the clinical assessment and, when available, laboratory results.
Treatment may also include measures to relieve symptoms and maintain appropriate hydration. The choice and duration of antibiotic treatment depend on factors such as the severity of infection, recurrence and urinary tract abnormalities.
If an infection has progressed to the kidneys, more intensive treatment may be required. Patients who are seriously unwell may require hospital care and intravenous antibiotics.
If urinary obstruction, a kidney stone or an enlarged prostate is contributing to the infection, treatment of the underlying obstruction may also be necessary.
Recovery & Follow-up
Recovery depends on the location and severity of the infection and the treatment provided.
Patients should follow the prescribed treatment and seek medical advice if symptoms do not improve, become worse or return after treatment.
Patients with recurrent UTIs may require additional evaluation to identify an underlying cause, such as a kidney stone, urinary obstruction or other urinary tract abnormality.
Follow-up testing, including another urine culture or imaging, may be recommended when clinically appropriate.
Patients should follow the prescribed treatment and seek medical advice if symptoms do not improve, become worse or return after treatment.
Patients with recurrent UTIs may require additional evaluation to identify an underlying cause, such as a kidney stone, urinary obstruction or other urinary tract abnormality.
Follow-up testing, including another urine culture or imaging, may be recommended when clinically appropriate.
Benefits
• Early identification of urinary infection
• Appropriate treatment based on the clinical situation
• Relief of urinary symptoms
• Prevention of progression to kidney infection
• Identification of underlying urinary tract problems
• Appropriate management of recurrent infections
• Reduced risk of complications when treatment is started promptly
• Appropriate treatment based on the clinical situation
• Relief of urinary symptoms
• Prevention of progression to kidney infection
• Identification of underlying urinary tract problems
• Appropriate management of recurrent infections
• Reduced risk of complications when treatment is started promptly