Urinary tract infections are usually caused by the colonization of the urinary tract by bacteria. Although this kind of infection is more common in women, urinary tract infections can also affect men. In general, urinary tract infections are only serious if they spread to the kidneys, but they still require antibiotic treatment to avoid complications and discomfort.
Causes
In general, urinary tract infections occur when bacteria that colonize the digestive tract spread to the urinary tract via the urethra, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders explains. The bacteria that most commonly causes a urinary tract infection is E. coli. Chlamydia and mycoplasma, which are two sexually transmitted infections, can also cause urinary tract infections. Because these bacteria can be passed from one person to the next via sexual contact, the patient's sexual partners may also have a urinary tract infection. In these cases, all infected persons should be treated to avoid passing the infection back and forth.
Symptoms
Men who have a urinary tract infection, Medline Plus explains, have a variety of symptoms. The patient's urine may be discolored, bloody or have a foul odor. A burning pain upon urination as well as increased urinary frequency is another common symptom. Men with a urinary tract infection may also have pain or pressure in their groin or lower abdomen. Other symptoms include a low fever and the feeling of needing to urinate even after the bladder has been emptied.
Complications
The main complication of a urinary tract infection in men is spreading of the infection to the kidneys. If this happens, the bacteria can cause permanent kidney damage. Symptoms of a kidney infection, which is also known as pyelonephritis, include chills, shaking, night sweats and a fever above 101 degrees F. Men with pyelonephritis may also feel flank pain, nausea/vomiting and flushing of the skin in the lower abdomen, notes Medline Plus. In the elderly, a kidney infection can cause confusion or other mental changes.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of a urinary tract infection, explains the Mayo Clinic, typically involves two different tests performed on the urine. Urinalysis can be done to determine if there are any white blood cells, blood or bacteria in the urine. Because the urine sample for this test can become contaminated with bacteria from the skin, patients may need to wipe the skin around their urethra with an antiseptic pad. A urine culture, on the other hand, allows physicians to determine the exact type of bacteria causing the urinary tract infection, which can help guide treatment. These tests cannot distinguish between a bladder and kidney infection, but the presence of flank pain is usually indicative of a kidney infection.
Treatment
Typically, urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotics. Commonly prescribed antibiotics include amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, nitrofurantoin and trimpethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, according to the Mayo Clinic. These antibiotics typically need to be taken daily for a week or longer. Patients with recurrent urinary tract infections may need longer courses of antibiotic treatment. Severe infections may require hospitalization and the use of intravenous antibiotics.
