Urinary tract infections are the second most common type of infection in the body reports the National Kidney and Urological Diseases Information Clearinghouse. The urinary tract is made of kidneys, ureters, bladder and the urethra. Kidneys remove excess fluid and waste from the blood, and this waste, or urine, travels through narrow tubes called ureters. The ureters connect to the bladder, where the urine is deposited. The urine is then emptied through the urethra when a person goes to the bathroom. A UTI, urinary tract infection, is any infection that develops along the urinary tract.
Causes
The urine in the bladder in a healthy person is sterile and contains no bacteria that can cause an infection. According to Merck, there are two ways for a person to develop a UTI. The most common is through a person's urethra. In a man, the opening of the urethra is located at the end of the penis, and in a woman the urethra opening is located at the opening of the vulva. Once the bacteria, virus, parasite or fungi is inside the urethra, it can travel up to the bladder or the kidneys. The second way for a person to develop a UTI is from an infection elsewhere in the body that enters the bloodstream and then infects the kidneys.
Signs and Symptoms
According to the National Kidney and Urological Diseases Information Clearinghouse, symptoms include frequent urination, a burning sensation when urinating, general feeling of being sick and pressure above the public bone. A person with a UTI may urinate a small amount, and the urine may appear cloudy or white in color or may contain blood. A fever is not usually present with a UTI, but it can be a sign that the infection has reached the kidneys.
Diagnosis
According to the National Kidney and Urological Diseases Information Clearinghouse, a clean catch sample of urine is tested to determine if the person has a UTI. The person will clean the genital area with a wipe, begin to urinate and then stop midstream to place the sterile cup and begin to urinate into the cup. A clean catch sample is done so that bacteria around the genital area do not contaminate the urine. The urine will be analyzed for bacteria, and proper treatment will be given based upon the results.
Treatment
Treatment for a UTI is a course of antibacterial drugs. The type of medication depends on the type of bacteria found in the urinalysis. According to the National Kidney and Urological Diseases Information Clearinghouse, the UTI will often be cured within a day or two from taking the medication. However, doctors will often prescribe a medication for a week or two to ensure that the infection has cleared.
Prevention
The National Kidney and Urological Diseases Information Clearinghouse recommends several measures to prevent UTIs, including drinking plenty of fluids, not resisting the urge to urinate and cleaning the genital area before sexual intercourse. Women who have had prior UTIs should take showers instead of baths and avoid using douches, and when using the bathroom they should wipe front to back so that bacteria do not enter the vagina.
