Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Overview
Learn About Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection of the urinary tract. The infection can occur at different points in the urinary tract, including the:
- Bladder -- An infection in the bladder is also called cystitis or a bladder infection.
- Kidneys -- An infection of one or both kidneys is called pyelonephritis or a kidney infection.
- Ureters -- The tubes that take urine from each kidney to the bladder are rarely the only site of infection.
- Urethra -- An infection of the tube that empties urine from the bladder to the outside is called urethritis.
Bladder infection - adults; UTI - adults; Cystitis - bacterial - adults; Pyelonephritis - adults; Kidney infection - adults
Common conditions include: Urinary Tract Infection in Children
Most UTIs are caused by bacteria that enter the urethra and then the bladder. The infection most commonly develops in the bladder, but can spread to the kidneys. Most of the time, your body can get rid of these bacteria. However, certain conditions increase the risk for having UTIs.
Women tend to get them more often because their urethra is shorter and closer to the anus than in men. Because of this, women are more likely to get an infection after sexual activity or when using a diaphragm for birth control. Menopause also increases the risk for a UTI.
The following also increase your chances of developing a UTI:
- Diabetes
- Advanced age
- Conditions that affect personal care habits (such as Alzheimer disease and delirium)
- Problems emptying the bladder completely
- Having a urinary catheter
- Bowel incontinence
- Enlarged prostate, narrowed urethra, or anything that blocks the flow of urine
- Kidney stones
- Staying still (immobile) for a long period of time (for example, while you are recovering from a hip fracture)
- Pregnancy
- Surgery or other procedure involving the urinary tract
The symptoms of a bladder infection include:
- Cloudy or bloody urine, which may have a foul or strong odor
- Low grade fever in some people
- Pain or burning with urination
- Pressure or cramping in the lower abdomen or back
- Strong need to urinate often, even right after the bladder has been emptied
If the infection spreads to your kidneys, symptoms may include:
- Chills and shaking or night sweats
- Fatigue and a general ill feeling
- Fever above 101°F (38.3°C)
- Pain in the side, back, or groin
- Flushed, warm, or reddened skin
- Mental changes or confusion (in older people, these symptoms often are the only signs of a UTI)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Severe abdominal pain (sometimes)
Your health care provider must first decide if the infection is just in the bladder, or if it has spread to the kidneys and how severe it is.
MILD BLADDER AND KIDNEY INFECTIONS
- Most of the time, you will need to take an antibiotic to prevent the infection from spreading to the kidneys.
- For a simple bladder infection, you will take antibiotics for 1 to 5 days (women) or 7 to 14 days (men). The length of treatment depends on the antibiotic used.
- If you are pregnant or have diabetes, or have a mild kidney infection, you will most often take antibiotics for 7 to 14 days.
- Finish all of the antibiotics, even if you feel better. If you do not finish the whole dose of medicine, the infection may return and be harder to treat later.
- Always drink plenty of water when you have a bladder or kidney infection.
- Tell your provider if you might be pregnant before taking these medicines.
RECURRENT BLADDER INFECTIONS
Some women have repeated bladder infections. Your provider may suggest that you:
- Take a single dose of an antibiotic after sexual contact to prevent an infection.
- Have a 3 to 5 day course of antibiotics at home to use if you develop an infection.
- Take a single, daily dose of an antibiotic to prevent infections.
MORE SEVERE KIDNEY INFECTIONS
You may need to go into the hospital if you are very sick and cannot take medicines by mouth or drink enough fluids. You may also be admitted to the hospital if you:
- Are an older adult
- Have kidney stones or changes in the anatomy of your urinary tract
- Have recently had urinary tract surgery
- Have cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, or other medical problems
- Are pregnant and have a fever or are otherwise ill
At the hospital, you will receive fluids and antibiotics through a vein.
Some people have UTIs that do not go away with treatment or keep coming back. These are called chronic UTIs. If you have a chronic UTI, you may need stronger antibiotics or to take medicine for a longer time.
You may need surgery if the infection is caused by a problem with the structure of the urinary tract.
Adnan El-Amine is an Internal Medicine provider in Kingston, Massachusetts. Dr. El-Amine and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). His top areas of expertise are Sitosterolemia, High Cholesterol, Relapsing Fever, and Hypothyroidism.
Jordan Physician Associates Inc
Deborah Kylander is a Family Medicine specialist and a Geriatrics provider in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Dr. Kylander and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Her top areas of expertise are Dementia, Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, Familial Hypertension, and Hypertension.
Associated Physicians Of Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians At Beth Is
Oneda Haxhistasa is an Internal Medicine provider in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Dr. Haxhistasa has been practicing medicine for over 15 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Her top areas of expertise are Sepsis, Pneumonia, Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia, Endoscopy, and Hip Replacement.
Most UTIs can be cured. Bladder infection symptoms most often go away within 24 to 48 hours after treatment begins. If you have a kidney infection, it may take 1 week or longer for symptoms to go away.
Complications may include:
- Life-threatening blood infection (sepsis) -- The risk is greater among the young, very old adults, and people whose bodies cannot fight infections (for example, due to HIV or cancer chemotherapy).
- Kidney damage or scarring.
- Kidney infection.
Contact your provider if you have symptoms of a UTI. Contact your provider right away if you have signs of a possible kidney infection, such as:
- Back or side pain
- Chills
- Fever
- Vomiting
Also contact your provider if UTI symptoms come back shortly after you have been treated with antibiotics.
Diet and lifestyle changes may help prevent some UTIs. After menopause, a woman may use estrogen cream around the vagina to reduce infections.
Summary: Patients with recurrent UTI were randomized to receive either the probiotic Sacchromyces Boulardii at enrollment, and the intracellularly active Ciprofloxacin with their first UTI episode after enrollment, or they received standard of care treatment.
Summary: The MINUS-trial is a multicentric prospective observational study in which consecutive patients, 18 years of age and older who receive a ureteral stent during any endoscopic procedure will be approached to participate. Their stent will be removed in outpatient office or by string extraction at home with or without antibiotic prophylaxis (depending on the standard of care of the participating cente...
Published Date: July 23, 2024
Published By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Drekonja D. Approach to the patient with urinary tract infection. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 263.
Sobel JD, Brown P. Urinary tract infections. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 72.