Any infection in the urinary system is referred to as a urinary tract infection (UTI). The kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra are components of the urinary system. Most infections affect the bladder and urethra, which are parts of the lower urinary system.
Compared to men, women are more likely to get a UTI. An infection that only affects the bladder can be uncomfortable and painful. A UTI, however, can spread to the kidneys and cause major health issues.
Antibiotics are frequently used by medical professionals to treat urinary tract infections. Additionally, you can take measures to reduce your risk of developing a UTI in the first place.
Symptoms
Not all UTIs result in symptoms. When they do, they might consist of:
an intense urge to urinate that persists
a scorching sensation during urination
passing little volumes of urine frequently
Clear-looking cloudy urine
Red, bright pink, or cola-colored pee are indications that there is blood in the urine.
urine that smells strongly
Women who experience pelvic pain typically experience it in the center of the pelvis and near the pubic bone.
UTIs in older persons may go unnoticed or be confused with other illnesses.
Causes
The most common cause of UTIs is when bacteria enter the urinary tract via the urethra and start to proliferate in the bladder. It is the purpose of the urinary system to keep bacteria out. But sometimes the defenses fall apart. If that occurs, germs may establish a foothold and develop into a serious infection in the urinary system.
The majority of women experience the most typical UTIs, which damage the bladder and urethra.
A bladder infection. Escherichia coli typically causes this type of UTI (E. coli). A prevalent form of bacteria in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is E. coli. But occasionally, other microbes are to blame.
Although you don’t have to be sexually active to get a bladder infection, having sex can certainly cause one. Due to the anatomy of women, they are all susceptible to bladder infections. The urethra is near the anus in females. Additionally, the bladder is close to the urethral entrance. This facilitates the entry of microorganisms around the anus into the urethra and subsequent passage to the bladder.
A urethral infection. Anus to urethra transmission of GI bacteria can result in this kind of UTI. Sexually transmitted infections can also result in an infection of the urethra. They include mycoplasma, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes. Women’s urethras are located close to the vagina, which makes this possible.
