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Signs & Symptoms of Male Urinary Tract Infection

The kidney, ureters, bladder and the urethra are the main components of the human urinary system. Urinary tract infection, also called UTI, is defined as a medical condition caused by infections (mostly bacterial infections) to any of the components of the urinary system mentioned above. Most commonly the urethra and the bladder are affected by these infections; however the infection can spread to other parts of the body as well via the bloodstream. Even though urinary tract infections are not life-threatening, they often cause severe pain and discomfort in individuals suffering from them. Urinary tract infection is often more prevalent in women than men, though the exact reason for this is still not clearly known.

  1. Forms of UTI in Men

    • Urinary tract infection in men is often divided into two main categories or types: upper urinary tract infection, also known as pyelonephritis, and lower urinary tract infection, commonly called cystitis. Pyelonephritis is often characterized by swelling and inflammation in the linings of the kidney, while cystitis is characterized by swelling and inflammation in the linings of the bladder and urethra.

    Common Symptoms of Pyelonephritis

    • Some of the most common symptoms associated with lower UTI or pyelonephritis in men include pain near the lower back region, high fever, nausea and frequent vomiting. Individuals suffering from pyelonephritis sometimes also experience lower abdominal pain, chills and even diarrhea in severe and rare cases.

    Common Symptoms of Cystitis

    • Dysuria--a burning sensation and pain during urination--is one of the most common signs of cystitis or upper urinary tract infection in men. Another common symptom of cystitis in men is a frequent urge to urinate, which worsens at night. Other common signs of cystitis include pain near the lower region of the abdomen, passage of foul-smelling urine and high fever in some rare cases. In severe cases, individuals can also develop a medical condition known as hematuria in which blood is dispelled through the urine.

    Other Common Symptoms of UTI

    • Other common symptoms associated with urinary tract infection in men include pain in the pelvic region, loss of appetite, tiredness and a feeling of lethargy even while sitting idle.

    Effects of E.Coli

    • Bacterial infection caused by E.coli (Escherichia coli) is the most common cause of urinary tract infection in men. E.coli is located in the abdomen (most commonly in the colon) in individuals, and often causes degradation and damage to the linings of kidney and the urethra, causing inflammation and thus increasing the probability of developing UTI.

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