A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of your urinary system — your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra. UTI includes • Pyelonephritis: is an inflammation of the kidney tissue, calyces, and renal pelvis.[1] It is commonly caused by bacterial infection that has spread up the urinary tract or travelled through the bloodstream to the kidneys. • Cystitis: usually occurs when the urethra and bladder, which are normally sterile (microbe free) become infected by bacteria - the area becomes irritated and inflamed. • Prostatitis: inflammation of the prostate gland. • Urethritis: inflammation of the urethra.
Lower urinary tract infection
a) Bladder (cystitis): The lining of the urethra and bladder becomes inflamed and irritated.
b) Dysuria: pain or burning during urination
c) Frequency: more frequent urination (or waking up at night to urinate, sometimes referred to as nocturia); often with only a small amount of urine
d) Urinary urgency: the sensation of having to urinate urgently
e) Cloudy, bad-smelling, or bloody urine
f) Lower abdominal pain or pelvic pressure
g) Mild fever (less than 101 F), chills, and "just not feeling well" (malaise)
h) Urethra (urethritis): Burning with urination
Upper urinary tract infection (pyelonephritis)
Symptoms develop rapidly and may or may not include the symptoms for a lower urinary tract infection.
a) Fairly high fever (higher than 101 F)
b) Shaking chills
c) Nausea
d) Vomiting
e) Flank pain: pain in the back or side, usually on only one side at about waist level
In newborns, infants, children, and elderly people, the classic symptoms of a urinary tract infection may not be present.
Other symptoms may indicate a urinary tract infection.
a) Newborns: fever or hypothermia (low temperature), poor feeding, jaundice
b) Infants: vomiting, diarrhea, fever, poor feeding, not thriving
c) Children: irritability, eating poorly, unexplained fever that doesn't go away, loss of bowel control, loose bowels, change in urination pattern
d) Elderly people: fever or hypothermia, poor appetite, lethargy, change in mental status
e) Pregnant women are at increased risk for an UTI.
Include:
I. Analyzing a urine sample. Your doctor may ask for a urine sample for lab analysis to look for white blood cells, red blood cells or bacteria. To avoid potential contamination of the sample, you may be instructed to first wipe your genital area with an antiseptic pad and to collect the urine midstream.
II. Urine Culture Sensitivity Bacterial Count. Lab analysis of the urine is sometimes followed by a urine culture. This test tells your doctor what bacteria are causing your infection and which medications will be most effective.
III. Creating images of your urinary tract. If you are having frequent infections that your doctor thinks may be caused by an abnormality in your urinary tract, you may have
a) an ultrasound,
b) a computerized tomography (CT) scan
c) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
IV. Using a scope to see inside your bladder. If you have recurrent UTIs, your doctor may perform a cystoscopy, using a long, thin tube with a lens (cystoscope) to see inside your urethra and bladder. The cystoscope is inserted in your urethra and passed through to your bladder.
Consult Urologist at Aadil Hospital for an appropriate treatment.
