This infection is very common in females because they have a shorter urethra than men and bacteria do not have to travel very far to reach and infect a woman’s bladder. This infection is mostly caused by E coli bacteria which usually comes from the potty area or anus.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of your urinary system — your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra. Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than are men.A strong, persistent urge to urinate.
- Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection-
- A burning sensation when urinating.
- Passing frequent, small amounts of urine.
- Urine that appears cloudy.
- Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored — a sign of blood in the urine.
- Strong-smelling urine.
- Abdominal pain – suprapubic, bilateral flanks, pelvic pain (females), perineal pain.
- Women – sexually active,
- postmenopausal
- Pregnancy
- Immunocompromised state – Diabetes Mellitus, Post-transplant, Age > 60 years, patient on steroids or any other immunosuppressive drugs
- Pregnancy
- Structural or Functional abnormalities of the Urinary tract – Vesicoureteric reflux, calculus in the urinary tract, urethral stricture etc
- Drink plenty of liquids, especially water
- Drink cranberry juice
- Maintain personal hygiene and cleanliness
- Do not hold urine for long periods of time
- Avoid the use of diaphragms, non lubricated spermicidal condoms for birth control,
- Dirty public toilets and swimming pools.
- If you have this infection then visit a health professional and get proper treatment. If you do not take complete treatment then it may recur again and again and may.
