Urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infections: Introduction
Urinary tract infections are common infections of the urinary tract, which consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra and the prostate gland. Urinary tract infections are the result of an invasion of bacteria or other microorganisms into the urinary tract.
Normally, urine and all of the organs and structures of the urinary tract are sterile and contain no microorganisms. However, infectious microorganisms can get into the urinary tract from outside the body through the urethra and cause urinary tract infections. Infectious microorganisms can also travel through the bloodstream from other parts of the body to cause urinary tract infections.
Urinary tract infections include bladder infection, bacterial prostatitis (urinary tract infection of the prostate gland) and pyelonephritis, a urinary tract infection of the kidney.
Symptoms of urinary tract infections can include frequent urination and bloody urine. Urinary tract infections can lead to potentially serious, even life-threatening complications in some people. For more information on complications and symptoms, refer to symptoms of urinary tract infections.
Urinary tract infections occur most commonly in women, because the urethra in women is shorter than a man's. This makes it easier for microorganisms to enter the female urinary tract and cause a urinary tract infection. Women who are sexually active, who use diaphragms for birth control, and/or are past menopause are at an increased risk for urinary tract infections.
Certain other populations are also at a higher risk for developing urinary tract infections. They include older adults and the elderly and people with a history of kidney stones, kidney disease, or chronic conditions that affect the immune system, such as HIV/AIDS and diabetes. People who have an indwelling catheter in their bladder are also at risk.
Making a diagnosis of a urinary tract infection begins with taking a thorough personal and family medical history, including symptoms, and completing a physical examination. It also includes performing a urinalysis test, which checks for the presence of pus, white blood cells, and bacteria in the urine, which point to a urinary tract infection. A urine culture and sensitivity is usually performed to find the exact microorganism that is causing the infection and to determine the most effective antibiotic to treat it.
Imaging tests, such as ultrasound, CT, nuclear scan, or voiding cystourethrogram may also be ordered to evaluate the functioning of the urinary tract.
A diagnosis of a urinary tract infection can easily be missed or delayed in the elderly. This is because some symptoms, such as fatigue and weakness, may not be noticed or might be associated with aging. For information on misdiagnosis, refer to misdiagnosis of urinary tract infections.
Mild urinary tract infections, such as a bladder infection, that are not accompanied with complications, such as pyelonephritis, are generally treated with oral antibiotic medications. People are also encouraged to drink plenty of water to help flush bacteria out of the bladder. The prognosis and the chance for a cure without complications are good for people who are generally healthy.
More serious infections, such as pyelonephritis, and urinary tract infections in people with HIV/AIDS or in the elderly, generally require hospitalization, especially if there are complications, such as sepsis. For more information on treatment, refer to treatment of urinary tract infections. ...more »
Urinary tract infections:
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by bacteria in the
urinary tract. Women get UTIs more often than men. UTIs are treated with
antibiotics. ... more about Urinary tract infections.
Urinary tract infections: Infection of the urinary system; usually bacterial.
More detailed information about the symptoms,
causes, and treatments of Urinary tract infections is available below.
Urinary tract infections: Symptoms
The symptoms of urinary tract infections result from the presence and growth of bacteria or other microorganisms in the urinary tract. The urinary tract is normally a sterile environment, and an infection of microorganisms results in symptoms that vary depending on the specific type of urinary tract infection.
Symptoms of a bladder infection ...more symptoms »
Urinary tract infections: Treatments
The first step in treating urinary tract infections is prevention. Prevention measures include drinking plenty of fluids, urinating as soon as possible when the urge is felt, and drinking cranberry juice, which may have infection-fighting qualities.
For women, prevention measures include urinating promptly after having sexual intercourse, wiping the genital area from front to back after ...more treatments »
Urinary tract infections: Misdiagnosis
People who are young or middle-aged are often diagnosed and treated quickly with a urinary tract infection. This is because the symptoms are often so painful, sudden and/or inconvenient that they seek prompt medical care.
However, in the elderly population, symptoms of a urinary tract infection, especially an early bladder infection, can be easily ...more misdiagnosis »
Symptoms of Urinary tract infections
See full list of 40
symptoms of Urinary tract infections
Treatments for Urinary tract infections
- Antibacterial drugs
- Trimethoprim (Trimpex)
- Trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra, Cotrim)
- Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox, Wymox)
- Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Furadantin)
- more treatments...»
See full list of 23
treatments for Urinary tract infections
Home Diagnostic Testing
Home medical testing related to Urinary tract infections:
- Bladder & Urinary Health: Home Testing:
- more...»
Wrongly Diagnosed with Urinary tract infections?
Urinary tract infections: Related Patient Stories
Urinary tract infections: Deaths
Read more about Deaths and Urinary tract infections.
Types of Urinary tract infections
- Acute urinary tract infections
- Chronic urinary tract infections
- Types of UTI by location of infection:
- more types...»
See full list of 8
Types of Urinary tract infections
Diagnostic Tests for Urinary tract infections
Read more about tests for Urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infections: Complications
Review possible medical complications related to Urinary tract infections:
Causes of Urinary tract infections
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causes of Urinary tract infections
More information about causes of Urinary tract infections:
Disease Topics Related To Urinary tract infections
Research the causes of these diseases that are similar to, or related to, Urinary tract infections:
Urinary tract infections: Undiagnosed Conditions
Commonly undiagnosed diseases in related medical categories:
Misdiagnosis and Urinary tract infections
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Read more about Misdiagnosis and Urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infections: Research Doctors & Specialists
Research related physicians and medical specialists:
- Pregnancy & Fertility Health Specialists:
- Womens Health Specialists:
- Urinary & Bladder Specialists (Urology):
- Kidney Health Specialists (Nephrology):
- more specialists...»
Other doctor, physician and specialist research services:
Hospitals & Clinics: Urinary tract infections
Research quality ratings and patient safety measures
for medical facilities in specialties related to Urinary tract infections:
Hospital & Clinic quality ratings »
Choosing the Best Hospital:
More general information, not necessarily in relation to Urinary tract infections,
on hospital performance and surgical care quality:
Urinary tract infections: Rare Types
Rare types of diseases and disorders in related medical categories:
Evidence Based Medicine Research for Urinary tract infections
Medical research articles related to Urinary tract infections include:
Click here to find more evidence-based articles on the TRIP Database
Prognosis for Urinary tract infections
More about prognosis of Urinary tract infections
Research about Urinary tract infections
Visit our research pages for current research about Urinary tract infections treatments.
Clinical Trials for Urinary tract infections
The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally
and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.
Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Urinary tract infections include:
See full list of 48
Clinical Trials for Urinary tract infections
Prevention of Urinary tract infections
Prevention information for Urinary tract infections has been compiled from various data sources
and may be inaccurate or incomplete.
None of these methods guarantee prevention of Urinary tract infections.
Read more about prevention of Urinary tract infections
Statistics for Urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infections: Broader Related Topics
Types of Urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infections Message Boards
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Article Excerpts about Urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by bacteria in the
urinary tract. Women get UTIs more often than men. UTIs are treated with
antibiotics. Drinking lots of fluids also helps by flushing out the
bacteria.
(Source: excerpt from Your Urinary System and How It Works: NIDDK)
Definitions of Urinary tract infections:
Infections affecting stuctures participating in the secretion and elimination of urine: the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and urethra.
- (Source - Diseases Database)
Any infection of any of the organs of the urinary tract
- (Source - WordNet 2.1)
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