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What is a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

In most people, urine is normally sterile (free from germs or bacteria) and the presence of bacteria in the urinary tract does not necessarily cause a urinary tract infection. If, however, the bacteria grow and multiply to a certain level, they may cause an infection of the urinary tract which needs to be treated.

What causes UTIs?

 

Anyone can get a urinary tract infection (UTI), but they’re more common in women than men due to the short female urethra (the channel through which urine is passed). An infection can be thought of as a group of symptoms caused by bacteria entering an area of your body that they should not be in. Urinary infections are caused by bacteria entering your bladder, which most commonly enter through the urethra. The bacteria multiply in your bladder, either floating in the urine or attached to the bladder wall. As your bladder and kidneys are connected, bacteria in the bladder can also invade your kidneys. 

 

If your body’s immune system fails to clear the bacteria from your body, treatment with antibiotics is probably needed. If you have bladder issues already, you’re more at risk of getting a UTI. 

How do you know if you have a UTI?

If you have bladder problems, you are at risk of developing a urinary tract infection. It is important that you recognise the different symptoms of UTIs, as anuntreated UTI can be harmful to your bladder and kidneys. 


But be aware of other symptoms, which are more subtle and therefore harder to recognise as UTI-symptoms. Symptoms that may be related to UTIs: 

 

  • Pain or discomfort when passing urine 
  • An urge to pass urine frequently 
  • Cloudy and strongly smelling urine (unrelated to foods that can cause urine odour) 
  • Blood in the urine  
  • Unexpected leakage 
  • Fever/sweating or chills 
  • Pain in the bladder (above pubic bone area) 
  • Pain in the kidney area (lower back area) 

 

How to check if you have a urinary tract infection (UTI) 

Your physician may perform a quick urine test which can give a rough indication of whether or not bacteria are present. To determine whether you do have a UTI, your doctor will check with a urine culture and may also want to take a blood test in order to assess other factors. If you suffer from recurring UTIs your doctor may want you to see a urologist for further testing. 

 

How can you prevent UTIs? 

There are a number of precautions to prevent urinary tract infections. Read more about how to prevent UTI here.