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Two Main Forms of Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections are among the most common of all infections that affect the human body. In fact, there are two main forms of urinary tract infections that account for approximately eight million of the diagnosed infections that are reported in the U.S. every year. According to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, most urinary tract infections affect women and nearly 50 percent of all women will have a urinary tract infection at some point in their life.

  1. What is a Urinary Tract Infection?

    • The human body utilizes the urinary tract system to filter and eliminate liquid waste material. The University of Pittsburgh explains that the delicate system consisting of the bladder, kidneys, urethra and ureters can become disrupted by the presence of bacteria. The bacteria that cause infections commonly enters the urinary tract through sexual intercourse, kidney stones and waiting too long to empty the bladder when it is full.

    Upper Tract

    • Upper urinary tract infections are associated with the kidneys and the ureters and usually result in a condition that is referred to as pyelonephritis. Pyelonephritis is another term that is used to describe a "kidney infection." According to Aetna, kidney infections are often caused by bacteria that has entered the kidney through the bloodstream or traveled up into the kidney from the bladder.

    Lower Tract

    • Lower tract urinary infections are infections of the bladder (cystitis) or infections of the urethra (urethritis). According to the Mayo Clinic, bladder infections are caused by bacteria that cause the bladder to become inflamed. Infections of the urethra are caused by bacteria that have traveled from the gastrointestinal tract and anus, and up into the urethra.

    Symptoms

    • According to New York Times Health Guide, the symptoms associated with a bladder infection often include an urgency to urinate and a painful burning sensation that accompanies urination. Strong smelling urine, urine that is cloudy in appearance and low-grade fever can also be signs of a bladder infection. Infections that have spread to other areas of the urinary tract may produce symptoms of fatigue, chills, high fever, confusion, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

    Treatments

    • Urinary tract infections are usually treated with antibiotic medications. The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC) explain that the type of antibiotic chosen for treatment is dependent on what type of bacteria has caused the infection. This determination is usually determined by a urinalysis. Mild urinary tract infections often resolve within two days of taking antibiotics, but more serious cases may require intravenous therapy administered in a hospital.

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