Urinary tract infection - adults

A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection of the urinary tract. The infection can occur at different points in the urinary tract, including:

Bladder. An infection in the bladder is also called cystitis or a bladder infection.
Kidneys. An infection of one or both kidneys is called pyelonephritis or a kidney infection.
Ureters. The tubes that take urine from each kidney to the bladder are rarely the only site of infection.
Urethra. An infection of the tube that empties urine from the bladder to the outside is called urethritis.

Causes
Most urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria that enter the urethra and then the bladder. The infection most commonly develops in the bladder, but can spread to the kidneys. Most of the time, your body can get rid of these bacteria. However, certain conditions increase the risk of having UTIs.

Women tend to get them more often because their urethra is shorter and closer to the anus than in men. Because of this, women are more likely to get an infection after sexual activity or when using a diaphragm for birth control. Menopause also increases the risk of a UTI.

Symptoms
The symptoms of a bladder infection include:

Cloudy or bloody urine, which may have a foul or strong odor
Low fever in some people
Pain or burning with urination
Pressure or cramping in the lower abdomen or back
Strong need to urinate often, even right after the bladder has been emptied
If the infection spreads to your kidneys, symptoms may include:

 Chills and shaking or night sweats
 Fatigue and a general ill feeling
 Fever above 101° Fahrenheit
 Pain in the side, back, or groin
 Flushed, warm, or reddened skin
 Mental changes or confusion (in the elderly, these symptoms often are the only signs of a UTI)
 Nausea and vomiting
 Very bad abdominal pain (sometimes)

Exams and Tests
Most of the time you will need to provide a urine sample for the following tests:

 Urinalysis. This test is done to look for white blood cells, red blood cells, bacteria, and to test chemicals such as nitrites in the urine. This test can diagnose an infection most of the time.
 Clean-catch urine culture. This test may be done to identify the bacteria and determine the best antibiotic for treatment.
Blood tests such as CBC and a blood culture may be done as well.

You may also need the following tests to help rule out other problems in your urinary system:

 CT scan of the abdomen
 Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)
 Kidney scan
 Kidney ultrasound
 Voiding cystourethrogram