What are Urinary Tract Infections?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection affecting any part of your urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. Most UTIs involve the lower urinary tract—the bladder and urethra. Bladder infections (cystitis) are the most common type, causing uncomfortable symptoms like frequent, urgent urination, burning sensation during urination, cloudy or strong-smelling urine, and pelvic discomfort. If bacteria travel upward to the kidneys, the resulting kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is more serious, causing fever, back pain, nausea, and vomiting in addition to urinary symptoms. UTIs are among the most common bacterial infections, particularly affecting women due to anatomical factors, though men, especially older men with prostate problems, can also develop them. Prompt treatment with antibiotics quickly resolves most UTIs and prevents complications.
Why is it Important?
While UTIs are common and usually easily treatable, seeking prompt medical care is important for several reasons. Untreated bladder infections can spread to your kidneys, causing serious kidney infections that may result in permanent kidney damage, sepsis (a life-threatening blood infection), or in pregnant women, pregnancy complications including premature delivery. Recurrent UTIs may indicate underlying problems such as anatomical abnormalities, kidney stones, or in men, prostate enlargement. Additionally, UTI symptoms can sometimes indicate other conditions requiring different treatment—including sexually transmitted infections, kidney stones, or interstitial cystitis. Self-diagnosis and treatment can be problematic because not all urinary symptoms are caused by bacterial infections, and taking antibiotics unnecessarily contributes to antibiotic resistance. Your provider can perform a urinalysis to confirm infection, identify the specific bacteria involved, and prescribe the most appropriate antibiotic. For people with diabetes, recurrent UTIs, kidney disease, or compromised immune systems, professional medical management is especially critical as these individuals face higher complication risks.
What to Expect
Your visit will begin with a discussion of your symptoms, including when they started, their severity, and whether you've had UTIs previously. Your provider will ask about your urinary frequency, appearance and odor of urine, presence of blood in urine, pain location and character, fever, and other associated symptoms. A physical examination may include checking for tenderness over your bladder or kidneys and, in men, a prostate examination. The key diagnostic test is urinalysis—you'll provide a urine sample that will be tested for bacteria, white blood cells, and red blood cells that indicate infection. Many offices can perform rapid urinalysis providing immediate preliminary results. Your doctor may also send a urine culture to the laboratory to identify the specific bacteria and determine which antibiotics are most effective, though results take 1-3 days. Treatment typically involves a course of oral antibiotics lasting 3-7 days for simple bladder infections, or longer for kidney infections or complicated UTIs. Your symptoms should improve within 1-2 days of starting antibiotics, though it's crucial to complete the full course even after feeling better. Your provider will also discuss prevention strategies including proper hydration, urinating after sexual activity, wiping front to back (for women), and avoiding irritating feminine products. For recurrent UTIs, your doctor may recommend additional testing, preventive antibiotics, or referral to a urologist.
How to Prepare
When scheduling your appointment for UTI symptoms, avoid urinating immediately before leaving home so you'll be able to provide a urine sample upon arrival. Don't start taking antibiotics left over from previous prescriptions, as this can interfere with accurate diagnosis and promote antibiotic resistance. Note the onset and character of your symptoms, including any fever you've measured at home. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, but avoid excessive fluid intake right before your appointment, as very dilute urine can make infection harder to detect on urinalysis. If you've had UTIs previously, bring information about how they were treated and how often they occur. Women should inform their provider if there's any possibility of pregnancy, as this affects antibiotic selection. Bring your current medication list, as some medications and health conditions increase UTI risk. If you have blood in your urine, severe pain, high fever, or vomiting, seek immediate medical attention as these symptoms may indicate a serious kidney infection requiring urgent treatment.
Have questions about urinary tract infections? Contact Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists & Primary Care at (203) 334-2100 to schedule your appointment.
