Urinary Tract Infections - Fact sheet - Kidney Health Australia
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Last Reviewed July 2018
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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
women and 1 in 20 men will get a UTI both partners need medical treatment
There are many germs that can cause
in their lifetime. to avoid re-infection.
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 the urine backed up, flowing
can easily spread to the urethra and 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 dry
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. The doctor
tract infection. Sometimes mild usually tests the urine to check for
cystitis can be treated by: blood, white blood cells and acidity.
• drinking plenty of fluids, particularly Antibiotics are commonly prescribed
water to treat UTIs. If a UTI comes back,
your doctor can order a ‘culture’. A
• taking a commercial urinary
culture is a test to see which germs
alkalinising agent (such as Ural or
are present in your urine. Identifying
Citralite) or one teaspoon of baking
the germ will help determine which
soda or bicarbonate of soda in water
antibiotic is best to treat the infection.
to help relieve discomfort when
Sometimes a low-dose antibiotic may
passing urine. It is important to refer
be prescribed for long-term use if the
to your doctor if symptoms persist
UTI is persistent. If the UTI does not
as an infection may be present and
improve or is frequently recurring, it
require different treatment
may be a good idea to get a referral to
• avoiding acidic food or drinks - they a specialist.
cancel out the effect of urinary
See the Make the most of your visit
alkaliser and can aggravate the
to the doctor fact sheet for more
burning when passing urine
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 • use only water when washing It is important to remember that
between your legs UTIs are not caused by a lack of
• avoiding constipation
• wash between your legs every day cleanliness. Self-help treatments such
and before having sexual intercourse as vaginal douching do not change the
likelihood of getting UTIs.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
• UTI’s 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 urinary tract infection
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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For more information This is intended as a general
introduction to this topic and is not
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