Urinary Tract Infection

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is caused due to organisms that are very small which can be seen through a microscope. Most of the infections are caused due to bacteria and some are caused due to fungi and in rare viruses can also cause infections. UTIs are the most common type of infections seen in humans. Nearly 60% of women and 13% of men might suffer from UTI at least once during their lifetime. These UTI’s can be addressed by our best nephrologist in Hyderabad at AINU hospital.

A urinary tract infection(UTI) can happen in any part of your urinary system. Your urinary system is divided into the upper urinary tract that consists of the kidneys and the ureters and the lower urinary tract that consists of the bladder and the urethra. Most infections happen in the urethra and bladder. Upper tract urinary tract infections are rare and usually, they are more severe.

Women are more prone to develop UTI than men. Infection bound to your bladder might be painful and annoying but you may face serious consequences if the infection spread to your kidneys.

UTIs are given different names depending on the site of their appearance. For example:

• Infection to the bladder called cystitis
• Infection urethra is called urethritis
• Infection kidney is called pyelonephritis
• The ureters are very rarely infected

The symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection(UTI) depends on age, gender, health conditions, and the part of the urinary tract that has been infected.

Symptoms of lower urinary tract infection that affects the urethra and bladder include:

• Burning feeling while urination
• Increased frequency & urgency of urination
• Blood in urine
• Dark cloured urine
• Pelvic pain in women
• Pain in your back or lower abdomen
• Rectal pain in men

Symptoms of the infection in the upper tract include:

• Pain and tenderness in the upper back and sides
• Fever or Chills
• Feeling tired
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Upper tract infections might affect your kidneys. They can turn out to be life-threatening if bacteria move into the blood from the infected kidney. This condition is called urosepsis and it can result in low blood pressure, shock, and death.

Bacteria live in large numbers around your vagina and rectum, and on the skin. However, this bacteria might enter into the urethra, travel and reaches into your bladder. The bacteria in this urinary tract will cause potential health problems. People of any age and gender can develop infection and the factors that increase the risk of UTI:

• Increasing age
• Poor personal hygiene
• Prolonged bed rest after surgery
• kidney stones
• Having a urinary catheter
• Pregnancy
• Using spermicides and tampons
• Sexual intercourse
• Menopause
• Blockages in the urinary tract such as an enlarged prostate, cancer
• Diabetes
• Abnormally urinary structures from the birth
• Weak immune system

Treatment of urinary tract infections depends on the cause of infection. A urinary tract infection specialist doctor can determine which organism is causing the infection by performing a diagnostic test. Mostly bacteria is the main cause for UTIs and can be treated with antibiotics.

Some UTI’s are caused due to viruses or fungi. Viral UTIs can be treated with the help of antiviral medications such as antiviral cidofovir. Fungal UTIs can be managed with the help of anti fungal medication.

You need to take antibiotics for a longer period, depending on the cause of infection and the time UTI persists or having an infection that’s not getting cured. Men need to take antibiotics for a few weeks when the infection affected their prostate. Young woman with a mild bladder infection can be managed with antibiotics that lasts for a few days.