What are the Symptoms of a Urine Infection?

Urinary infections, also known as UTIs or urinary tract infections, affect men, women and children. While it is possible for men to have urinary infections, it is rare, so further follow-up is advised to rule out prostatitis, which has similar symptoms. The infection is primarily located in the bladder and can be uncomfortable. When you have symptoms such as burning and pain upon urination, contact your physician for a urine test. While there are over-the-counter tests for urinary tract infections, such as AZO, you will still need to see your doctor to diagnose and prescribe medicine for treatment. Left untreated, the UTI can become worse and travel to your kidneys, damaging them, or enter your bloodstream causing a life-threatening infection.

Causes

• Bacteria around the urethra that travels into the bladder is a common cause for a urinary tract infection. Using proper hygiene by wiping front to back will help women keep bacteria away from the urethra opening. A bladder that does not empty completely can cause infection. Urine that stays in the bladder creates a perfect environment for bacteria to colonize. Chlamydia can also cause urinary tract infections. These infections remain primarily in the urethra and the reproductive tract.

Symptoms

• Constant burning and pain with urination are the most common symptoms of urinary infections. Frequent urination, an urgency to urinate, and an inability to urinate or only voiding small amounts of urine are also common. The urine will be cloudy and at times reddish if blood is present and might emit a foul odor. A fever will not be present with a urinary infection, unless the infection has spread to the kidneys.

Diagnosis

• Urine infections are normally diagnosed with a test strip dipped into a clean urine sample. When white blood cells and nitrites are found, the sample is sent to a laboratory for further testing. The bacteria is cultured in the lab to determine the appropriate antibiotic to use for treatment.

Treatment

• Antibiotics are the most efficient in treating urinary infections. Some antibiotic treatments run a three-day course while a more powerful infection might need seven to 10 days of antibiotics. Regardless of how many days the treatment is, all medication should be taken or you run the risk of re-infection.

Prevention/Solution

• There are ways in which you can protect your body from unnecessary urine infections. According to the Mayo Clinic, drinking plenty of fluids keeps bacteria from adhering to bladder walls (see References). Although no scientific evidence has been found, drinking cranberry juice seems to deter bacteria from collecting on bladder and urethra walls. Douches are not recommended; using soap and water only is sufficient for cleaning.