Urological Disorders

Urinary Tract Infections

What are urinary tract infections (UTI)?

Urinary tract infections are a serious, but common, health problem that affects millions of people each year. With the reason remaining unclear, women are especially prone to urinary tract infections.

What causes UTIs to occur?

Normal urine is sterile and contains fluids, salts, and waste products. It is free of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. An infection occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from the digestive tract, cling to the opening of the urethra and begin to multiply.

Most infections arise from Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, which normally live in the colon.

An infection limited to the urethra is called urethritis.
From the urethra, bacteria often move on to the bladder, causing a bladder infection, which is called cystitis.
If the infection is not treated promptly, bacteria may then go up the ureters to infect the kidneys called pyelonephritis.

Microorganisms called chlamydia and mycoplasma may also cause UTIs in both men and women. These infections tend to remain limited to the urethra and reproductive system, and may be sexually transmitted, requiring treatment of both partners.

What are some common symptoms of UTIs?

Symptoms of urinary tract infections often include:

a frequent urge to urinate
painful, burning feeling in the area of the bladder or urethra during urination
feeling bad all over -- tired, shaky, washed out
feeling pain even when not urinating
despite an intense urge to urinate, only a small amount of urine is passed
women may feel an uncomfortable pressure above the pubic bone
men may experience a fullness in the rectum
urine may look milky or cloudy, or reddish if blood is present
fever (this may mean that the infection has reached the kidneys)
pain in the back or side, below the ribs
nausea
vomiting

How are UTIs diagnosed?

Diagnosing a urinary tract infection may involve a urinalysis test that allows your doctor to sample your urine for pus and bacteria, and/or an intravenous pyelogram (IVP), which gives x-ray images of the bladder, kidneys, and ureters. If you experience recurrent infections, your physician may recommend an ultrasound exam or a cystoscopy. Consult your physician regarding which diagnostic procedure is most appropriate for your individual condition.

How UTIs may be treated:

A treatment protocol will be established by your physician after careful consideration of your individual symptoms and medical profile. In general, treatment for urinary tract infections include one or more of the following:

antibacterial drugs
other medication and/or a heating pad to relieve pain

It is often recommended that the patient:

drink plenty of water to help cleanse the urinary tract of bacteria
avoid coffee, alcohol, and spicy foods
quit smoking

Preventing future urinary tract infections:

To reduce the likelihood of developing another UTI, a patient may consider the following:

Drink plenty of water every day.
Drink cranberry juice -- large amounts of vitamin C inhibits the growth of some bacteria by acidifying the urine. Vitamin C supplements have the same effect.
Urinate when you feel the need and do not resist the urge to urinate.
Wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria around the anus from entering the vagina or urethra.
Take showers instead of tub baths.
Cleanse the genital area before/after sexual intercourse.
Avoid using feminine hygiene sprays and scented douches.

This page was last updated on: February 28, 2008.

For more information, call the University Physicians Consultation and Referral Service at 1-800-492-5538 (patients) or 1-800-373-4111 (physicians).