Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
What is a UTI?
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, occurs when bacteria cause an infection in your urinary tract- kidneys, bladder, or urethra.
Common Symptoms
Symptoms of a UTI can include:
A burning feeling when you pee
A frequent or intense urge to pee, even though little comes out when you do
Cloudy, dark, bloody, or strange-smelling pee
Feeling tired or shaky
Pain in other areas (penis or rectum)
Mental confusion (mostly older adults)
Wetting the bed (children and older adults)
Fevers
If the UTI has spread to your kidneys, you may also experience:
Pain or pressure in your back or lower belly
Nausea and vomiting
Fever and chills
Diagnosis
A urine culture (C&S) is the most definitive way to diagnose a UTI. Other screening tests, such as urinalysis (or urine dip), may provide clues for a UTI but are not definitive and should not be relied upon to diagnose a UTI. Urine cultures require 48 hours to verify an infection.
Treatment
UTIs are caused by bacterial or fungal infections. Treatment to eradicate the infection will include antibiotics for bacterial infections or antifungal medications to treat fungal infections.
UTI Prevention
These steps may help lower the risk of UTIs:
Drink plenty of water: Drinking water helps in the production of urine. That leads to emptying of the bladder more often — allowing bacteria to be flushed from the urinary tract before an infection can begin.
Empty your bladder soon after having sex: Also drink a full glass of water to help flush bacteria.
Cranberry juice or cranberry extract: Studies that look into whether cranberry juice prevents UTIs aren't concrete. However, drinking pure cranberry juice (not cranberry cocktails) or taking cranberry extract pills are likely not harmful.
Avoid feminine products that could be irritants: Using them in the genital area can irritate the urethra. These products include deodorant sprays, douches and powders.
Change your birth control method: Diaphragms, unlubricated condoms or condoms treated with spermicide can contribute to bacterial growth.
Consider estrogen replacement: If you are in perimenopause or menopause, the lower levels of estrogen circulating in the body will increase the risk of UTIs.
D-Mannose or PACs: Compounds available over-the-counter, such as D-Mannose or proanthocyanidins (PACs), can help to improve the protective lining within the bladder, preventing bacteria from forming an infection