A UTI is a very common infection of the urinary system. Such infections may involve any part of the urinary system. The most common cause of UTIs is bacteria, particularly E. coli. The symptoms include frequent urination, painful urination, and flank or lower-back pain. UTI may involve the urethra (urethritis), kidneys (pyelonephritis), or bladder (cystitis). 

Urine is the by-product fluid formed during the renal filtration process by the kidneys. It is formed by removing excess fluid and waste from the blood. Normally, urine flows through the urinary system without pollutants; however, UTIs arise when bacteria gets to the urinary tract. 

UTIs are classified into: 

• Lower UTIs: Also called cystitis and urethritis, they are infections affecting the bladder and urethra, respectively. 

• Upper UTIs: More serious ones attacking the kidneys (pyelonephritis). 

According to the BMC infectious diseases, UTI is the second most common infectious disease affecting more than 150 million people globally annually as of 2023. 
 

Factors Related to Age and Gender 

While anybody may develop a UTI, certain age groups and sexes have a pronounced tendency to develop a UTI: 

• Women: Almost 50% of women will, at some time in their lives, experience a UTI; as women have a relatively short urethra. 

• Men: While less common; UTIs in men are seen to be increasing with age and in cases of prostatic problems. 

• Children: In children, the UTI can suggest anatomical problems that may underlie the disorder. 

• Elderly: Due to a weakened immune system and dysfunction of the urinary tract, the elderly are more susceptible. 

Stages Of UTI  

• Urethritis – The early stage where one may experience irritation and discomfort while urinating. 

• Cystitis – The progressing stage where the bladder is infected. Symptoms includes pelvic pain, cloudy urine, frequent urination, fever or such-like. 

• Pyelonephritis – The advanced stage, one of the worst forms of infection whereby it spreads to the kidney regions and creates dramatic damage along the way through exhibiting signs/symptoms of fever, back pain, extremely acute conditions including bacterial infection. 

Signs of a urinary tract infection include: 

UTI causes inflammation of the lining of your urinary tract, and this may give rise to the following problems: 

• Pain in your flank, abdomen, pelvic area, or lower back 

• Pressure in the lower part of your pelvis 

• Cloudy and foul-smelling urine 

• Incontinence 

• Frequent urination 

• Urge incontinence 

• Pain when you pee (dysuria) 

• Blood in urine (hematuria) 

Other symptoms associated with UTI that a person can experience: 

• Pain in the penis 

• Extreme fatigue 

• Fever 

• Chills 

• Nausea and vomiting 

• Mental changes or confusion 

Risk factors for UTI 

Across the world, UTIs are common in females; In fact, women are usually steered towards such infections more than once during their lifetimes.  

The factors giving rise to UTI are: 

Female anatomy: The urethras of women are shorter than those for men, meaning that for any given microorganism, the actual distance to cover to the bladder is short. 

Sexual activity: A sexually active woman generally has a high risk of developing UTIs. A new sexual partner also increases the risk. 

Certain birth control methods: Use of a diaphragm for birth control is said to increase the risk of an occurrence of UTI. Likewise, the application of spermicidal agents also raises that risk. 

Menopause: Due to the decline in circulating estrogen after menopause, several changes in the urinary tract occur. The changes are said to increase the chances of a UTI. 

Other risk factors are urinary tract anomalies, blockage of urinary tract, underlying immune disorders such as diabetes, using catheters, and urinary tract procedures 

Complications of untreated UTIs  

UTIs, if detected early and properly treated, seldom lead to complications. Untreated, they might lead to serious health conditions. 

Complications of a UTI may include: 

• Recurrent infection which is defined by occurrence of two or more UTIs occurring in the same six months or three or more UTIs within the same one year.  

• Permanent kidney damage from a kidney infection due to an untreated UTI. 

• Premature birth and preterm birth with low blood weight when a UTI occurs during pregnancy. 

• Narrowing of the urethra in men from the repeated infections of the urethra. 

• Sepsis, a potentially lethal complication of any infection. This happens especially if the infection spills into the kidneys from the urinary tract. 

How do you know if you have UTI?  
 
If experiencing urinary tract infection symptoms, contact a healthcare professional. They will obtain information about symptoms, study medical history, and conduct a physical exam. They might perform some necessary tests to confirm the diagnosis. 

What tests will be done to diagnose a urinary tract infection? 

UTI tests that a physician may order include: 

Urinalysis – You may be asked to provide a urine sample in a special cup. Your physician will send it to a laboratory where laboratory technicians will perform a mix of tests. 

Urine culture – You will urinate into a special cup, afterwards, laboratory technicians will grow and identify any bacteria that are present in your sample. Urine cultures are important because they can help the healthcare provider decide upon the appropriate treatment. 

If your infection doesn’t respond to treatment, a provider may order the following tests to examine your urinary tract for a disease or injury: 

Ultrasound- An ultrasound is an imaging test that helps your provider look at your internal organs.  

CT scan- A CT scan works by creating cross-section images of your body, like slices. A CT scan provides even more details compared to the regular X-ray. 

Cystoscopy- A cystoscope is inserted inside your bladder through the urethra to the bladder. Cystoscope is a thin instrument with a lens and light at the end. 

Treatment of Urinary Tract Infection- 

Antibiotics: These would be prescribed by your healthcare provider according to the severity of your UTI.  

Pain Relievers: Over-the-counter medicines may relieve discomfort during the treatment. 

Fluids: Drinking plenty of water helps flush out bacteria from the urinary tract. 

Probiotics: These encourage the maintenance of healthy bacteria in the urinary system, thus helping against further infections. 

Preventive Measures: For recurrent UTIs, low-dose antibiotics might be administered for prevention by your healthcare provider.