What is urinary tract infection?

When there is a bacterial invasion in any area of the lower (urethra and bladder) or upper (ureters and kidneys) urinary system, we are facing a urinary tract infection, which women are more likely to suffer, being the most common the one that occurs in the urethra and bladder without serious consequences if treated promptly, otherwise, it can reach the kidneys and cause serious complications.

This type of infection sometimes does not have symptoms in its early stage, but when it does, it includes the following:

• Urge to urinate.
• Intense burning during urination.
• Lack of transparency and intense aroma in the urine.
• Hematuria manifested with slightly pink or reddish urine.
• Pain.
• Significant increase in urination frequency and decrease in the amount of urine.

Urinary tract infections are classified according to the affected area since each one causes different symptoms:

Pyelonephritis (kidneys):

• Low back pain that is usually directed to one side.
• High fever.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Tremors.

Cystitis (bladder):

• Hematuria.
• Increased urination frequency.
• Pain and burning when urinating.
• Pelvic tightness.
• Pelvic pain.

Urethritis (urethra):

• Cloudy urine.
• Burning and discomfort during urination.

A lower urinary tract infection does not usually cause a major problem when treated promptly, otherwise, the consequences can be very serious, such as:

• Severe kidney damage.
• Low birth weight in babies.
• Urethral narrowing in men.
• Progressive recurrence of infections.
• Generalized infection leading to septicemia.

This type of infection sometimes does not have symptoms in its early stage, but when it does, it includes the following:

• Urge to urinate.
• Intense burning during urination.
• Lack of transparency and intense aroma in the urine.
• Hematuria manifested with slightly pink or reddish urine.
• Pain.
• Significant increase in urination frequency and decrease in the amount of urine.

Urinary tract infections are classified according to the affected area since each one causes different symptoms:

Pyelonephritis (kidneys):

• Low back pain that is usually directed to one side.
• High fever.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Tremors.

Cystitis (bladder):

• Hematuria.
• Increased urination frequency.
• Pain and burning when urinating.
• Pelvic tightness.
• Pelvic pain.

Urethritis (urethra):

• Cloudy urine.
• Burning and discomfort during urination.

A lower urinary tract infection does not usually cause a major problem when treated promptly, otherwise, the consequences can be very serious, such as:

• Severe kidney damage.
• Low birth weight in babies.
• Urethral narrowing in men.
• Progressive recurrence of infections.
• Generalized infection leading to septicemia.

Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination and request the following tests to confirm the diagnosis:

• Urine test.
• Urine culture.
• Ultrasound.
• Computed tomography.
• MRI.
• Cystoscopy.

The indicated treatment is antibiotics, whose dose and duration will depend on the intensity of the infection and the type of bacteria that causes it.

Also, you can be prescribed painkillers and anti-inflammatories to reduce symptoms. If the infection is advanced and has reached the kidneys, you will need to be hospitalized to receive the necessary care.

At ABC Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Department, we offer health care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies of both chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

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