Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Urinary tract infections are more common in females or those with an indwelling urinary catheter. Symptoms include dysuria (painful or burning sensation on passing urine), foul-smelling urine, cloudy urine, lower abdominal pain, and increased urinary frequency, with or without fever.

UTIs may also cause visible blood in the urine. If the infection affects the kidneys, this is known as pyelonephritis. Pyelonephritis usually presents with fever and flank pain.

UTIs can usually be treated on an outpatient basis with a course of antibiotics. However, individuals with impaired immune systems are more likely to develop serious infections that can become life-threatening. These include patients with poorly controlled diabetes, those on steroids or chemotherapy, and frail elderly patients.

Kidney infections associated with urinary stones that cause obstruction to urine drainage and kidney swelling can be severe. These require not only antibiotics but also timely radiological or surgical intervention.

Those with recurrent infections should be investigated for urinary stones as well as urinary retention, and the underlying cause should be treated appropriately.

For females who are prone to recurrent UTIs without an identifiable cause, adequate fluid intake and good voiding habits are recommended. Prophylaxis with probiotics and cranberry supplements can be taken to reduce the risk of recurrent urinary tract infections. In some patients, a course of low-dose prophylactic antibiotics may be needed.

Measures to decrease your risk of UTIs include drinking an adequate amount of fluids and not holding your urine for prolonged periods of time. If you have diabetes, good blood sugar control is essential in reducing the risk of infections.