According to the Urology Channel, between eight and ten million people of all ages develop urinary tract infections (UTI) each year in the United States. A condition in which bacteria enter through the urethra and then infect the urinary tract, urinary tract infections can affect the kidneys, ureters, urethra and bladder. For unknown reasons, urinary tract infections are rarely found in young men and boys and are most prevalent in women, with 20 percent of women developing a UTI at some point in their adult lives.
Babies and Toddlers
Urinary tract infections in small children may be suspected when a baby has diarrhea, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting and nausea, and excessive crying that is not relieved by typical methods such as holding and feeding. A visit to the doctor will confirm whether or not a UTI is involved, once the doctor performs an examination and tests for bacteria in the urine.
Older Children
Urinary tract infections in older children cause symptoms of frequent urination, lower back or flank pain, small amounts of urine produced at a time, abdominal or pelvic pain, incontinence, painful urination or urine that has an unusual smell or is cloudy.
Adult Lower UTI
In adults, symptoms of a lower urinary tract infection include cloudy urine, blood in the urine, back pain, fever, inability to pass urine despite the urge to do so, painful urination, frequent urination or a feeling of general discomfort.
Adult Kidney or Bladder Infection
According to the experts at the Mayo Clinic, in adults, symptoms of a kidney infection include nausea, chills, high fever, upper back pain, side pain and vomiting. A bladder infection will exhibit lower abdominal discomfort, frequent and painful urination, pelvic pressure and a low-grade fever. Burning urination may indicate an infection of the urethra, which left untreated may progress further into the urinary tract.
