These common infections can involve any part of your urinary system.
The urinary tract consists of several parts including a pair of kidneys and ureters, a bladder, and a urethra. Your kidneys filter water and waste products from your blood, and this becomes your urine (pee). Your ureters are tubes that carry the urine from your kidneys to your bladder. Your bladder stores the urine before it leaves your body through your urethra.
Most urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect the bladder. As long as you get prompt treatment for a bladder infection, it generally won’t be a serious problem, and most can be cured with antibiotics in less than a week. However, if treatment is delayed, the infection can spread to your kidneys and may cause lasting damage.
Who gets UTIs?
UTIs can affect anyone, at any age. Male babies tend to have more UTIs than female babies, but once past infancy, more females are affected than males. The chance of a male getting a UTI rises after age 65, when the prostate is more likely to be enlarged.
Someone who develops one UTI is more likely to get another one. About 20% to 30% of people who get one UTI will experience a recurrence.
Starting treatment early is very important to prevent complications, so it is vital to be able to recognize the warning signs. UTIs don’t always cause symptoms, but when they do, they may include:
- A burning feeling when you urinate
- Pain or pressure in the pelvic area
- Frequent urges to urinate
- Awakening two or more times during the night needing to urinate
- Inability to fully empty your bladder
- Blood in your urine, making it look bright pink or red
- Urine that looks cloudy
- Strong smelling urine
When a UTI spreads beyond the bladder, it requires immediate medical attention. See a doctor if you develop symptoms such as:
- Chills
- Fever
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain in the abdomen, sides, or lower back
It can be difficult to know when children get a urinary tract infection, because they may not be able to explain clearly what they are experiencing, or they may be too young to tell you anything about the problem. If you suspect that something may be wrong, watch to see if they cry when urinating, if they suddenly need to go to the bathroom more often but little urine comes out, or if their urine or diapers have a bad odour.
Treating UTIs
On the bright side, UTIs usually respond well to treatment and can often be cured within a few days.
The usual treatment for a UTI in the bladder is an oral antibiotic that will kill the bacteria causing the infection. Pharmacists can often prescribe antibiotics to treat uncomplicated UTIs. Your doctor or pharmacist can also recommend prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers if needed. It is important to take all of the prescribed antibiotic, even if you start to feel better in a day or two. If the infection has progressed to the kidneys, a doctor may prescribe stronger oral or intravenously (IV) antibiotics.
To reduce the risk of UTI infections and repeated infections:
- Drink more water to help flush bacteria out of your urinary tract.
- Empty your bladder as much as possible when you urinate.
- Women: When you wipe yourself after using the toilet, wipe from the front to the back to
- avoid spreading bacteria from your anus to your urinary tract.
- Women: Urinate immediately following sexual intercourse. Use of spermicide or
- diaphragms may increase your risk of repeat UTIs. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for
- alternative birth control recommendations if you get recurrent UTIs.
- Men: Keep the tip of your penis clean, especially if you aren’t circumcised, because the
- foreskin can trap bacteria that can get into your urinary tract.
Your London Drugs pharmacists are here to help you. If you have more questions about urinary tract infections, your risks of complications, or about the medication that has been prescribed for you, ask us.
