Urinary Tract Infections consist of cystitis which is a bladder/lower urinary tract infection and pyelonephritis which is a kidney/upper urinary tract infection.
Cause
UTIs are due to bacteria that may enter the vaginal area.
Women are predisposed to getting UTIs due to anatomical differences when compared to men.
Sexual intercourse and the use of diaphragms and spermicides may predispose to UTIs
Symptoms of cystitis
Pain and burning with urination
Increased frequency urinating
The sudden urge to urinate
Difficulty with starting to urinate
Pelvic pain
Blood in the urine
In more complicated lower tract infections you may get a fever and other signs of infection
pyelonephritis
-fever
-nausea, vomiting
-chills
- flank/side/back pain
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is based on a patient's symptoms
urinary tests may aid in the diagnosis if symptoms are not typical
Treatment
Antibiotics are the treatment of choice for UTIs, the type of medication and the duration of medication will be dependent on if it is a lower or upper tract infection.
If there is discomfort with urination your doctor may give you additional medicine to help with the discomfort.
Depending on the severity of the infection your doctor may order imaging however in most cases this is not necessary.
Prevention includes
Urinating after sex
Wiping from front to back
Cleaning the vaginal area prior to cleaning the anal area
Gentle soaps without fragrance should be used for cleaning that vaginal area