A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is an infection that can occur in any part of your urinary system, including your kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. Most infections involve your lower urinary tract (your bladder and urethra).
UTI symptoms may include:
It is common for women to get urinary infections, and even a quickly treated episode of cystitis can upset the bladder for a few weeks afterwards. More than two or three infections a year is viewed as ‘recurrent’ infections. If you are getting lots of infections then some simple tests can exclude any underlying abnormalities that are making them occur more often.
An ultrasound of your kidneys and full and empty bladder can look for kidney stones or a poorly emptying bladder. An x-ray of the abdomen and a telescope examination of the bladder are sometimes also needed. In many cases no abnormalities are found and attention can turn to strategies to prevent infections. These include lifestyle changes, and low dose or self start antibiotics.
Frequent UTI’s can be caused by various factors. These include:
You will need to identify and address these underlying causes to help prevent the recurrence of a UTI.
To ease urinary tract infection symptoms, it's important to stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water. This helps dilute your urine and flush out bacteria.
Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, can alleviate the discomfort of a UTI.
However, these measures only address UTI symptoms - they do not get rid of the infection. You should consult with a healthcare provider for appropriate antibiotics to treat your UTI infection.
UTI treatment typically involves a course of antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare professional. The specific medication and duration will depend on the severity and location of your UTI infection. You must complete the full course of antibiotics for UTI, even if your symptoms improve before you reach your last medication.
Recurrent UTI’s are generally not a direct sign of cancer. However, there is a connection between frequent UTI’s and bladder cancer, especially in regions where certain parasitic infections are common. Most individuals with recurrent UTI’s do not develop bladder cancer, but if you have persistent symptoms, it’s advisable that you request further medical evaluation.
How long a UTI lasts can vary. With the appropriate antibiotic treatment, UTI symptoms often improve within 24 to 48 hours.
It’s advisable to see a specialist if you have recurrent UTI’s that:
A specialist will perform a full assessment to help identify any underlying causes and recommend appropriate courses of action and treatments.
While some UTIs may resolve on their own, especially uncomplicated cases, it’s still important to see a healthcare provider for UTI treatment to ensure the infection is completely resolved and to help prevent complications such as kidney infections or sepsis.
If you suspect you have a UTI, it’s recommended that you see a healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Women with a UTI in pregnancy, should see a doctor immediately. Although they are common in pregnancy due to hormonal changes and increased pressure on the bladder, if left untreated, they can lead to serious complications, including kidney infections (pyelonephritis) and preterm labour.
Yes, men can develop UTI’s, but they are less common than in women. Urinary tract infections in men are often associated with anatomical abnormalities or other underlying health conditions.
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