A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in the organs of your urinary tract, which includes the bladder and kidneys. Symptoms depend on the part of the urinary tract affected.
Microbes cause UTI infections. They are organisms that are too small to be seen without a microscope.
Most UTIs are caused by bacteria, but some are caused by fungi and, in rare cases, by viruses. UTIs are among the most common infections in humans.
Your urinary tract is made up of your:
- kidneys
- ureters
- bladder
- urethra
Most UTIs only involve the urethra and bladder in the lower tract. But UTIs can involve the ureters and kidneys in the upper tract. Although upper tract UTIs are rarer than lower tract UTIs, they’re also usually more severe.
Symptoms of a UTI depend on what part of the urinary tract is infected.
Lower tract UTI symptoms
Lower tract UTIs affect the urethra and bladder. Symptoms of a lower tract UTI include:
- burning with urination
- increased frequency of urination without passing much urine
- increased urgency of urination
- bloody urine
- cloudy urine
- urine that looks like cola or tea
- urine that has a strong odor
- pelvic pain in women
- rectal pain in men
Upper tract UTI symptoms
Upper tract UTIs affect the kidneys. These can be potentially life threatening if bacteria move from the infected kidney into the blood. This condition, called urosepsis, can cause dangerously low blood pressure, shock, and death.
Symptoms of an upper tract UTI include:
UTI symptoms in men
Symptoms of an upper tract urinary infection in men are similar to those in women. But men with a lower tract UTI may sometimes also experience rectal pain.
UTI symptoms in women
Women with a lower tract urinary infection may experience pelvic pain. This is in addition to the other common symptoms.
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Anything that reduces your bladder emptying or irritates the urinary tract can lead to a UTI. There are also many factors that can put you at an increased risk of getting a UTI.
These risk factors include:
- age (older adults are more likely to get UTIs)
- reduced mobility after surgery or prolonged bed rest
- kidney stones
- a previous UTI
- urinary tract obstructions or blockages, such as:
- enlarged prostate
- kidney stones
- certain forms of cancer
- prolonged use of urinary catheters, which may make it easier for bacteria to get into your bladder
- diabetes
- pregnancy
- abnormally developed urinary structures from birth
- weakened immune system
Additional UTI risk factors for men
Most UTI risk factors for men are the same as those for women. But having an enlarged prostate can also increase UTI risk.
Additional UTI risk factors for women
While it’s widely believed that wiping from back to front after using the bathroom increases the risk of recurring UTIs, research highlighted in a 2016 study showed that this is not the case.
But there are still some risk factors unique to female anatomy.
- Shorter urethra: In female bodies, urethras are shorter and very close to both the vagina and the anus. This increases the likelihood of developing UTIs. Bacteria that may naturally occur around both the vagina and anus can lead to infection in the urethra and the rest of the urinary tract.
- Sex: Pressure on the female urinary tract during penetrative sex can move bacteria from around the anus into the bladder. Oral sex can also introduce bacteria into the urethra, increasing the risk of infection. Peeing after sex may help reduce the risk of infection.
- Spermicides: Spermicides may increase UTI risk because they can disrupt the vaginal microbiome.
- Non-lubricated condoms: Non-lubricated latex condoms may increase friction and irritate the skin during sexual intercourse. This may increase the risk of a UTI. To help prevent skin irritation from condoms, be sure to use enough water-based lubricant during sex. Also, avoid using condoms coated with spermicide.
- Diaphragms: Diaphragms may put pressure on the urethra. This can decrease bladder emptying, which increases the risk of bacterial growth and infection.
- Decrease in estrogen levels: After menopause, the naturally occurring decrease in estrogen levels changes the normal bacteria in your vagina. This can increase the risk of a UTI.
If you suspect that you have a UTI based on your symptoms, see a doctor. A doctor will review your symptoms and perform a physical examination. To confirm a diagnosis of a UTI, your doctor will need to have your urine tested for microbes.
The urine sample needs to be a “clean catch” sample. This means the urine sample is collected at the middle of your urinary stream rather than at the beginning. This helps to avoid collecting bacteria or yeast from your skin, which can contaminate the sample. Your doctor will explain to you how to get a clean catch.
When testing the sample, the healthcare professional will look for a higher number of white blood cells in your urine. This can indicate an infection.
Your doctor will also order a urine culture to test for bacteria or fungi. The culture can help identify the cause of the infection. It can also help your doctor choose a treatment.
If your doctor suspects the UTI is viral, special testing may need to be performed. Viruses are rare causes of UTIs but can be seen in people who’ve had organ transplants or who have other conditions that weaken their immune system.
Diagnosing upper tract UTIs
If your doctor suspects that you have an upper tract UTI, they may need to order a complete blood count (CBC) and blood cultures in addition to a urine test.
A blood culture can confirm that your infection hasn’t spread to your bloodstream.
Most UTIs go away after treatment. However, some people develop chronic UTIs. Chronic UTIs either don’t go away after treatment or keep recurring. Recurrent UTIs are common among women.
If you have chronic UTIs, your doctor may want to check for any abnormalities or obstructions in your urinary tract. Here are some common tests:
- An ultrasound is where a device called a transducer is passed over your abdomen. The transducer uses ultrasound waves to create an image of your urinary tract organs that are displayed on a monitor.
- An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) involves injecting a dye into your body that travels through your urinary tract. Then, an X-ray of your abdomen is taken. The dye highlights your urinary tract on the X-ray image.
- A cystoscopy uses a small camera that’s inserted through your urethra and up into your bladder to see inside your bladder. During a cystoscopy, your doctor may remove a small piece of bladder tissue and test it to rule out bladder inflammation or cancer as a cause of your symptoms.
- A computerized tomography (CT) scan gets more detailed images of your urinary system.
Treatment for a UTI depends on whether it’s:
- bacterial (most common)
- viral
- fungal
Your doctor will be able to determine the cause and treatment by looking at your test results.
- Antibiotics are prescribed to treat bacterial UTIs.
- Antiviral medications are prescribed to treat viral UTIs.
- Antifungal medications are prescribed to treat fungal UTIs.
Antibiotics for upper and lower bacterial UTIs
The form of antibiotic used to treat a bacterial UTI typically depends on which part of the tract is involved.
Lower tract UTIs can typically be treated with oral antibiotics. Upper tract UTIs often require intravenous antibiotics. These antibiotics are put directly into your veins.
Antibiotics for chronic (resistant) bacterial UTIs
Sometimes bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics. To reduce your risk of antibiotic resistance, your doctor will likely prescribe the shortest treatment course possible. Treatment typically lasts no more than 1 week.
Results from your urine culture can help your doctor select an antibiotic treatment that will work best against the type of bacteria that’s causing your infection.
Newer treatments for bacterial UTIs
Treatments other than antibiotics for bacterial UTIs are currently being researched. At some point, UTI treatments without antibiotics may be an option for bacterial UTIs by using cell chemistry to change the interaction between the body and the bacteria.
There are no home remedies that can cure a UTI, but there are some options that can help your medication work better.
These home remedies for UTIs like drinking more water may help your body clear the infection faster.
Cranberries
Cranberry juice or cranberries don’t treat a UTI once it’s started. But a chemical in cranberries may help prevent certain types of bacteria that can cause a bacterial UTI from attaching to the lining of your bladder. This may help prevent future UTIs.
While cranberries are a popular remedy, the
Still, the American Urological Association says that clinicians can offer cranberry juice to patients as a way to prevent recurrent UTIs. But they note that there’s a low level of certainty that this will work.
The biggest potential complication of a UTI is leaving it untreated.
It’s important to treat a UTI — and the earlier, the better. Untreated UTIs become increasingly severe the further they spread.
A UTI is usually easiest to treat in the lower urinary tract. An infection that spreads to the upper urinary tract is much more difficult to treat and is more likely to spread into your blood, causing sepsis. This is a life threatening event.
If you suspect that you have a UTI, contact a doctor as soon as possible. A simple examination and urine or blood test could save you a lot of trouble in the long run.
Everyone can take the following steps to help prevent UTIs:
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily.
- Don’t hold urine in for long periods of time.
- Talk with your doctor about managing any urinary incontinence or difficulties fully emptying your bladder.
The Office of Women’s Health reports that women are
If you’re perimenopausal or postmenopausal, using topical or vaginal estrogen prescribed by your doctor could make a difference in preventing UTIs. If your doctor believes that intercourse is a factor in your recurrent UTIs, they may recommend taking preventive antibiotics after sex or long term.
Some studies have shown that long-term preventive use of antibiotics in older adults reduces the risk of UTIs.
Taking daily cranberry supplements or using vaginal probiotics like lactobacillus may also help prevent UTIs. An
Be sure to discuss with your doctor what the right prevention plan is for you.
How long does it take to flush out a UTI?
UTIs can go away within a week. But if left untreated, UTIs can worsen over time and will need medical attention.
Can you cure a UTI naturally?
UTIs should not be left untreated as they can worsen over time.
How do they test for UTIs in adults?
Doctors test for UTIs by sampling your urine. White blood cells and bacteria are signs of infections and potential UTIs. The presence of yeast may be a sign of a yeast infection.
UTIs are a relatively common condition. They can involve infection of the bladder, urethra, ureters, or kidneys. The most common cause is bacteria, but viruses or fungi can also cause UTIs.
If you suspect you may have a UTI, it’s important to see a doctor for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
