Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

What is a Urinary Tract Infection?
A urinary tract infection (also referred to as a UTI) is a bacterial infection affecting the urinary tract. When bacteria from the rectal area enter the urinary tract via the urethra to the bladder and multiply in the urine, an infection occurs.

Diagnosing a Urinary Tract Infection
There are two main types of urinary tract infections, namely lower tract and upper tract infections. An infection found in the lower tract typically spreads to the urethra or the bladder.

Bacteria that infects the urethra (tube that carries urine from the bladder) causes urethritis, while bacteria that infects the bladder causes cystitis (or a bladder infection). An infection found in the upper tract spreads through the bloodstream into the kidney. This is called pyelonephritis, and is a very serious condition.

UTI Symptoms and Signs

• Frequent urination
• Pain or burning during urination
• Pain in the lower back or abdomen
• Pain above the pubic bone
• Dark, foul-smelling urine
• Blood in the urine
• A feeling of shakiness and fatigue
• Mild fever

What Causes Urinary Tract Infections?
Urinary infections are usually caused by the Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, while other contributing factors include a shorter urethra in women, an enlarged prostate in men, frequent sexual activity, sexually transmitted diseases, or medical conditions such as HIV or diabetes.

Help for Urinary Tract Infections
This type of infection is commonly treated with antibiotics. However, it is increasingly recognized that frequent treatment with antibiotics may contribute to recurring UTI infections and increased dependency on antibiotic use, thereby further weakening the immune system.