Urinary tract infection

The urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and the urethra, which work together to rid the body of excess water and waste. UTIs occur when bacteria get into the urinary tract due to a failure of the body’s usual defenses.

Bladder infections are the most common type of UTI, and can be caused by various types of bacteria resulting from sexual activity, birth control devices, catheter use or improper wiping. Contributing factors for common urinary tract infections, regardless of age or gender, include:

• A suppressed immune system
• Blockages in the urinary tract
• Recent urinary procedures
• The presence of kidney stones
• Urinary tract abnormalities

How do UTIs affect the bladder?

Once bacteria enters the urinary system, it multiplies in the bladder. From there, it can spread to the urethra or even the kidneys. Left untreated, common urinary tract infections can lead to serious complications, such as:

• An increased risk of delivering premature or low birthweight babies
• Permanent kidney damage from chronic or acute kidney infection (pyelonephritis)
• Recurring infections
• Urosepsis (causes bacteria in the blood and can prove fatal)

UTIs are the second most common type of infection in the body. Although anyone can get a UTI, women are four times more likely to become infected than men, due to their anatomy.

In some cases, UTIs cause no symptoms whatsoever. One of the early signs of UTIs in women, however, is a burning sensation while urinating.

Other early signs of UTIs in women include:

• A frequent urge to urinate
• Cloudy, reddish or foul-smelling urine
• Fatigue, fever and shakiness
• Pain or a burning sensation while urinating
• Pain in the back or side, just below the ribs
• Pressure in the lower abdomen

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to seek prompt medical attention. An immediate evaluation is also recommended for anyone who experiences more severe UTI symptoms, such as:

• Fever and back pain
• No improvement after the second day of antibiotics
• Vomiting and an inability to keep even clear fluids or medication down

In addition to a high occurrence of symptoms of UTIs in women, those susceptible to serious UTI infections also include infants, children, seniors, those with diabetes or diseases affecting the immune system and those who take medications that impair or suppress the immune system. These people should seek immediate medical attention for UTI symptoms.

Our urgent care providers will perform the appropriate tests to verify whether your symptoms indicate a UTI.

Some of the ways our clinics may test and diagnose a UTI include:

• Analyzing a urine sample
• Growing a urine culture in a lab
• Creating images via ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT) scans, or IVP (a test using X-rays)

Additionally, your doctor will want to know about current medications or supplements you’re taking, as well as any known allergies, how long you’ve experienced UTI symptoms, whether you've had similar problems in the past and whether you're currently under treatment for other medical conditions. You should also let your doctor know if you think you may be pregnant. This information will ensure that you get the most appropriate treatment for your needs.

What is urinalysis?

Many health conditions are reflected in the makeup of your urine. Hundreds of different urine tests are available to detect various health conditions. In addition to detecting UTIs, urinalysis can confirm pregnancies. We offer a wide range of convenient and affordable urinalysis services.

Our healthcare experts may order a urine analysis test for several reasons, such as to check your overall health, to monitor a specific health condition or to diagnose a medical condition. A urine analysis test involves checking the contents, concentration and appearance of the urine for any abnormalities. A urine sample is normally evaluated visually, using a dipstick or other lab test, and microscopically.

Urine dipstick tests

A urine dipstick test is used in many primary and urgent care clinics to quickly and affordably diagnose urinary tract infections. To perform the test, a medical assistant, lab technician or another specialist will simply dip the stick in the urine, wait the designated amount of time and then compare the colors on the strip to the key on the package or container. Urine spectrometers are also used for this purpose.

Urine sample analysis

A full urine analysis looks for substances in the urine indicative of infection or conditions that impact the body’s ability to remove substances from the body through the urine. Complete urine lab tests typically check the following:

• Specific gravity, which is the concentration of the urine.
• The color of the urine, which can be affected by foods, medications, blood or even dehydration.
• The overall appearance of the urine. Bacteria, blood, mucus or other contaminants can cause urine to appear cloudy or turbid.
• The pH of the urine, which is determined by the acid/base balance of the body. A pH that is too high or too low may lead to the development of kidney stones.
• The presence of protein, glucose, ketones, bilirubin and urobilinogen, which are indicators of liver and kidney function.
• The presence of nitrites, which may indicate a urinary tract infection.
• White blood cells that may indicate a urinary tract infection.

A full urine analysis test will also include a microscopic examination for the presence of abnormal cells, crystals, mucus, casts and bacteria.

Urine routine microscopy tests

A urine routine microscopy may be ordered to diagnose a UTI and evaluate for kidney or metabolic disorders.

How does a kidney stone analysis test work?

Your specialist may order a kidney stone analysis if you suffer from frequent kidney stones. The test is used to determine the composition of the stone, which can help determine its cause and guide treatment. The test involves filtering the stone from the urine once it has passed so that it can be sent to a lab for testing.

The most typical treatment for UTIs is a regimen of antibiotics. Our practitioners will prescribe an appropriate drug and treatment plan based on your overall health and the type of bacteria responsible for the infection.

The content provided on the MD Now® website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for receiving medical care and treatment from a qualified healthcare provider. Never delay seeking advice, evaluation and treatment from a medical professional because of what you've read on this site.