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Prevent, Detect, Support.

Fact sheet Urinary Tract Infections

Your urinary system is made up of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Your kidneys do many important jobs. One is to remove waste and extra fluid from the blood to make urine. Narrow tubes called ureters carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Urine is stored in your bladder and emptied through the urethra. The urethra is the tube that drains the bladder.

What are urinary tract What causes urinary tract infections? infections? Bacteria do not normally live in the Germs such as Mycoplasma and Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very urinary tract. When bacteria enter the Chlamydia can cause urethritis in both common – particularly in women, urinary tract and multiply, they can men and women. These germs can be babies and the elderly. Around 1 in 2 cause a UTI. passed on during sexual intercourse so both partners need medical treatment women and 1 in 20 men will get a UTI There are many germs that can cause to avoid re-infection. in their lifetime. urine infections or cystitis. The most There are different types of UTIs and common germ causing urinary tract Some people may be at higher risk of this can depend on which part of the infections is found in your digestive infections due to the urinary flow being urinary tract is infected. system, Escherichia coli (E.coli). E.coli blocked or when the urine flows back can easily spread to the urethra and up from the bladder to the kidneys. Pyelonephritis describes an upper stick to the lining of your urinary system. urinary tract infection, which is very See the Kidney Stone fact sheet for serious as it may affect the kidneys. more information. If the infection is in the bladder, it is called cystitis. Cystitis is the most common lower urinary tract infection, which causes the bladder lining to become raw and inflamed (swollen).

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Why are urinary tract infections more common in women?

UTIs are common, particularly with During pregnancy, the drainage system increasing age. Women are more from the kidney to the bladder widens likely to get a UTI than men. Nearly 1 so urine does not drain as quickly. in 3 women will have a UTI needing This makes it easier to get a UTI. treatment before the age of 24. Sometimes germs can move from the bladder to the kidney causing a kidney In women, the urethra is short and infection. UTIs during pregnancy can straight, making it easier for germs result in increased blood pressure and to travel into the bladder. For some a smaller, premature baby, so it is very women, UTIs relate to changes in important to have them treated as their hormonal levels. Some are soon as possible. more likely to get an infection during certain times in their menstrual cycle, Women are more at risk of repeated such as just before a period or during UTIs if they: pregnancy. • use spermicide jelly or diaphragm for In older women, the tissues of the contraception urethra and bladder become thinner • have had a new sexual partner in and drier with age as well as after the last year (an increase in sexual menopause or a hysterectomy. This activity may trigger symptoms of a can be linked to increased UTIs. UTI in some women) • had their first UTI at or before 15 years of age • have a family history of repeated UTIs, particularly their mother • suffer from constipation

Do men get urinary tract What is the link with Why are older people more infections? diabetes? at risk?

Men can get UTIs, particularly if they People with diabetes are at increased Chronic conditions, some medications, have trouble with urine flow. Older risk of having UTIs as their urine may and problems with incontinence put men who experience prostatitis (an have a high glucose (sugar) content, older people at an increased risk for inflammation of the prostate) are which makes it easier for bacteria to developing UTIs. People using bladder at a higher risk. If the bladder is not multiply. Diabetes may also change catheters are also more likely to emptying properly, the build up of the body’s immune (defence) system develop a UTI. urine makes it more difficult to cure making it harder to fight a UTI. The the infection. A small number of risk of developing a UTI increases as young men may get a UTI. In males, diabetes progresses. this is usually the result of a sexually transmitted disease.

Do babies and young children get urinary tract infections?

Babies and children are at risk of UTIs. bladder. Reflux can cause the urine These infections always need to be to stay inside the body increasing the investigated as they may indicate a risk of infection. It may lead to kidney serious underlying condition, such as scarring, which in turn leads to high urinary reflux. Reflux is caused by a blood pressure and sometimes kidney bladder valve problem allowing urine problems. to flow back into the kidneys from the

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What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?

Bacteria may be present in a Signs of UTIs in children can also If the infection moves to the kidneys, urine sample without causing any include: you may also have high fever, back symptoms. This is more common in pain and vomiting. It is important to • low fever women who have diabetes, repeated see a doctor if a kidney infection or UTIs or the elderly. This type of UTI • irritability kidney stones are suspected because may not always need treatment kidney damage or even kidney disease • day or night wetting in a child who except in special situations, such as in can occur if these conditions are left has been toilet trained pregnant women. untreated. • feeding problems in babies Common symptoms of a UTI include: • burning sensation when passing urine • wanting to urinate more often, if only to pass a few drops • cloudy, bloody or very smelly urine • pain above the pubic bone

How are urinary tract infections treated?

A faint prickly feeling during urination Medical advice is needed if self-help is usually the first sign of a urinary treatments aren’t working or you are tract infection. Sometimes mild experiencing pain. The doctor usually cystitis can be treated by: tests the urine to check for blood, white blood cells and acidity. • drinking plenty of fluids, particularly water Antibiotics are commonly prescribed to treat UTIs. If a UTI comes back, • taking a commercial urinary your doctor can order a ‘culture’. A alkalinising agent (such as Ural or culture is a test to see which germs Citralite) or one teaspoon of baking are present in your urine. Identifying soda or bicarbonate of soda in water the germ will help determine which to help relieve discomfort when antibiotic is best to treat the infection. passing urine. It is important to refer Sometimes a low-dose antibiotic may to your doctor if symptoms persist be prescribed for long-term use if the as an infection may be present and UTI is persistent. If the UTI does not require different treatment improve or is frequently recurring, it • avoiding acidic food or drinks - they may be a good idea to get a referral to cancel out the effect of urinary a specialist. alkaliser and can aggravate the See the Make the most of your visit burning when passing urine to the doctor fact sheet for more information. Men should see a doctor if they have trouble with the urine stream or with starting and stopping the urine flow as it may point to an enlargement of the prostate.

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How can urinary tact infections be prevented?

Women can lower their risk of having a Some women have found the Cranberries (usually as cranberry urinary tract infection by: following tips helpful: juice) have been used to prevent recurrent UTIs. Cranberries contain a • drinking lots of fluid, particularly • urinate immediately after sexual substance that can prevent bacteria water, to wash bacteria from the intercourse from sticking to the walls of the bladder and urinary tract • do not delay going to the toilet when bladder. However, recent research has • promptly treating a vaginal infection, you need to shown that cranberry juice does not such as thrush or trichomoniasis have a significant benefit in preventing • wipe from front to back after (sexually transmitted disease). UTIs, and most people are unable to urinating continue drinking the juice on a long- • avoiding spermicide-containing • wear cotton underwear term basis. products, particularly with a diaphragm • wash between your legs every day It is important to remember that using only water UTIs are not caused by a lack of • avoiding constipation cleanliness. Self-help treatments such as vaginal douching do not change the likelihood of getting UTIs.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

• UTIs are common, particularly in women, babies and the elderly. People with diabetes are also at a greater risk of having a UTI. • Common symptoms of a UTI include a burning sensation when passing urine, wanting to urinate more often, cloudy, bloody or smelly urine and pain above the pelvic bone. • It is important to see a doctor if a UTI occurs, because if left untreated it can lead to serious complications, including kidney damage.

What does that word mean?

Antibiotics - A medication used to Escherichia Coli (E.coli) - A type of Menstrual cycle - When the females treat and prevent a variety of bacterial bacteria (germ) that can be found in body naturally prepares for pregnancy infections and disease. your digestive system which can often and experiences menstruation lead to a urinary infection. (period) during each cycle. Bacteria - Tiny cells (germs) that can be found in and outside of the body. Hysterectomy - The procedure to Pyelonephritis - Upper urinary tract The bad bacteria in the body can lead remove the uterus. A hysterectomy infection caused by bacteria that can to illness, infection and disease. may be performed due to a number of lead to damage of the kidneys. health conditions. Bladder - A muscular, elastic sac Ureter - The tube that connects the inside the body that stores the urine Incontinence - Accidental loss of kidneys to the bladder. (wee). urine from the bladder. Urethra - The tube that takes urine out Catheter - A plastic tube that is used Menopause - The time when women of the body from the bladder. to take fluid in or out of your body. naturally become infertile and their menstrual cycle comes to an end. Cystitis - A urinary infection of the bladder. Cystitis is the most common type of urinary tract infection.

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