What is a UTI?
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common type of bacterial infection that affect the urinary tract, including the bladder, urethra, and kidneys.
- It is the second most common type of infection in the body and is responsible for 8 million visits to the doctor each year.
- Up to 60% of people with vaginas will experience a UTI in their lifetime.
What are the symptoms of UTI?
- UTIs can cause a range of symptoms, including frequent urination, painful urination, a strong urge to urinate, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, and lower abdominal pain.
What causes UTIs?
- UTIs can be caused by different types of bacteria
- Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the most common culprit.
- UTIs are more common in people with vaginas. This is because of a shorter urethra that allows bacteria to travel easier to the bladder. This explains why some people's UTIs are triggered by sexual activity - because the motion can transfer bacteria from the bowel or vaginal cavity into the urethra.
- Some people may also be more prone to developing UTIs due to factors such as uncontrolled diabetes, urinary tract abnormalities like kidney stones, some types of birth control like diaphragms and spermicides, and even hormonal changes related to menopause.
How do you diagnose a UTI?
- Urinalysis. A urine sample is collected in a special container at a doctor's office or at a lab. A health care professional will test the sample for bacteria and white blood cells, which the body produces to fight infection.
How are UTIs treated?
- Antibiotics usually are the first treatment for urinary tract infections. Your health and the type of bacteria found in your urine determine which medicine is used and how long you need to take it.
Can people get UTIs more than once?
- About 25% of people who get a UTI will have recurrent infection - that is, at least two UTIs within six months, or three within a year.
- For persons who experience frequent UTIs, Kydella's d-mannose has been shown to reduce the chance of infection by 85%.