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What is a UTI?

A UTI (urinary tract infection) is the result of bacteria getting forced up the urethra and into the bladder, causing an infection to grow. There are many ways that this can occur, the most common of which is during intercourse where there is a lot of friction on the woman’s urethra. Though they are more common in women, men can get UTIs too. They are very common and easily treatable with little pain if they are caught early enough. However, if left untreated, UTIs can reach the kidneys and uterus and cause severe, painful and damaging infections.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms vary from very mild to extremely uncomfortable depending on how long you wait to seek treatment. Early on the most obvious symptoms are:

urinating more frequently than usual

stinging or burning sensation when urinating

feeling of having to urinate, but not being able to

cloudy urine, or possible traces of blood in urine

foul odour to urine

soreness in the lower back and pelvic areas

If you wait too long and the infection makes its way into the kidneys you may also experience:

fever

vomiting

abdominal pains

What should you do?

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above it’s important you go see your doctor right away before the infection worsens (this can take days or as little as hours). If you can’t see your physician you can go to the emergency room or a free clinic. Most likely they will ask you for a urine sample which they will examine and if they agree that it looks like you have a UTI they will put you on antibiotics right away, since testing the urine often takes 48 hours. The amount of time the doctor chooses to treat you with the antibiotics ranges from 3 days to 2 weeks, depending on the medication and your infection, but it is important to take the medication for the full time unless otherwise instructed by your doctors. Many times patients see the symptoms clearing up and stop taking the medication. But, just because the symptoms have gone, doesn’t mean the infection is totally cured and it may be harder to get rid of if you wait for the symptoms to return because you didn’t take antibiotics for the full perscribed amount of time.

Remember, UTIs are common and treatable, but you have to be aware of your body and catch the symptoms early. Never put it off, even if you’re unsure, better safe than sorry.

Filed under: Health by chickflickmag Date 29 May, 2007