Urinary Tract Infection

Normal urine is sterile. When bacteria enters the urinary system it is called urinary tract infection.

Dysuria is the most frequent chief complaint in men with UTI. The combination of dysuria, urinary frequency, and urinary urgency is about 75% predictive for UTI, whereas the acute onset of hesitancy, urinary dribbling, and slow stream is only about 33% predictive for UTI.

Common in children, middle and elderly people.

It is slightly more predominant in women

What is a urinary tract infection?

• Pyeolephritis means infection affecting the kidneys.
• Cystitis means infection affecting urinary bladder.
• Urethritis means infection affecting the urethra
• Infection can also affect testis, epididymis and prostate
• Infection can be caused by bacteria, fungus and HIV virus

What are the common causes of UTI:

• Stone disease
• Obstuction to the urinary passage
• Congenital obstruction to kidney outlet
• Prostate enlargement
• Urethral stricture
• Cancer
• Tuberculosis
• Common in diabetes
• Prence of foreign body like catheter
• Neuropathic bladder

Diagnosis

• Analysis of a urine sample to check for white blood cells, red blood cells or bacteria.
• Urine culture confirms the presence of infection and the severity of UTI
• Ultrasound or a computerized tomography (CT) scan

Full assessment of the cause of the problem and effective treatment of underlying condition is essential.