How to Detect a Urinary Tract Infection

A urinary tract infection may involve the lower urinary tract, which includes the urethra and bladder, or the upper urinary tract, involving the ureters and kidneys. They can be serious if left untreated but are very common, especially among women. Infection occurs when microorganisms enter the urethra and multiply in the normally sterile environment of the urinary tract. Look for these symptoms if you suspect a urinary tract infection.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Talk to your physician within 24 hours if you experience pain or burning when you urinate or have problems with frequency, urgency or hesitancy. Having to go more than usual, feeling as if you might not make it to the bathroom and then only going a little are classic symptoms of a lower urinary tract infection. You may notice cloudy, foul smelling urine, possibly tinged with blood. Fever isn't always present, but a low-grade fever and abdominal pain may also accompany other urinary tract infection symptoms.
2. Notify your physician immediately if you have a high fever with shaking chills, nausea and pain in your lower back or side. These may be symptoms of an upper urinary tract infection. These symptoms may develop rapidly, without the classic symptoms of a lower urinary tract infection and require immediate treatment to prevent sepsis and possible damage to your kidneys.
3. Tell your partner if you have a diagnosis of a urinary tract infection caused from chlamydia or mycoplasma. These, unlike E. Coli, are sexually transmitted infections and require that both partners receive treatment. Although they usually only involve the urethra and reproductive organs, they can cause permanent damage if not treated.
4. Conclude that you are at risk for a urinary tract infection if you have an abnormality of the urinary tract, an enlarged prostate, have diabetes, are sexually active or have recently had a catheter inserted. There are other causes, but these are the most common.

Tips & Warnings

• Not everyone has multiple symptoms with a urinary tract infection, but you'll probably have at least one.
• An infection involving the urethra is called urethritis, one involving the bladder is cystitis and a kidney infection is pyelonephritis. The higher up the infection is, the more serious and hard to treat it can be. Most infections result from E. Coli entering through the urethra from the colon. This is why females should wipe from the front to the back.
• Always consult your physician if you have any of the signs or symptoms listed in this article.