Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of most common reasons that people go to a physician or health care provider. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, urinary tract infections account for about 8.3 million doctor visits each year.
Women are particularly susceptible to UTIs for a number of anatomical reasons. Urinary tract infections can be classified based on which particular part of the anatomy is infected, such as the bladder or kidneys.
Urethritis
Infections of the urethra, known as urethritis, can result in painful or difficult urination. These infections are are frequently caused by the organisms that are associated with sexually transmitted infection like Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis. Not only do these types of infections result in issues involving urination but they frequently produce a discharge. It is extremely important to determine the causative organism of the infection because treatment is different for each pathogen. For example, since chlamydia and gonorrhea are seen as coinfections, the patient should be treated with doxycycline and rocephin for treatment of chlamydia and gonorrhea, respectively.
Cystitis
Cystitis or infections of the urinary bladder are a very common type of UTI. The symptoms associated with cystitis are similar to the other lower urinary tract infection, urethritis. Complaints of painful urination in addition to increased frequency and a compelling urgency to urinate are all symptoms of cystitis. Some people also complain of a tenderness over the area of the bladder. The presence of blood in the urine in addition to cloudiness and a bad odor are other signs that a patient may have a UTI. Fever is usually absent in cases of cystitis. Common causes of bladder infection are E. coli, Klebsiella, and other fecal bacteria as well as Staphylococcus saprophyticus in sexually active females.
Pyelonephritis
Pyelonephritis, or infection of the kidneys and the upper ureters, is the most serious type of urinary tract infection. This upper urinary tract infections is characterized by fever and lower back pain, also known as flank pain. Many of the same symptoms associated with lower urinary tract infections like painful urination, urgency and frequency in urination are also seen in pyelonephritis. However, systemic signs of infection such as vomiting, diarrhea, chills and an increased heart rate may be present in pyelonephritis. In addition, according to "Bailey and Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology," 40 percent of patients with acute pyelonephritis will also become bacteremic, meaning the bacteria causing the infection will get into the bloodstream, a very serious complication.
References
- Kidney and Urologic Diseases Clearinghouse: Urinary Tract Infections in Adults
- "Bailey and Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology;" Betty Forbes, Ph.D.; 2002
