Urinary Tract Infections

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that you can get anywhere in your urinary system. UTIs can strike your bladder, urethra (the tube where urine leaves your body), prostate (in men), ureters (the tubes that connect your kidneys to your bladder) and kidneys. They are more likely to affect women, but anyone can get them.

Common symptoms of a UTI

If you have a UTI, you might notice:

• A strong, persistent urge to urinate (pee)
• Frequently urinating small amounts
• Feeling the need to urinate when your bladder is empty
• Pain or burning when you urinate
• Cloudy urine
• Bloody urine, which can look red, pink or brown
• Urine that has a strong smell
• Lower abdominal or pelvic pain/discomfort
• A feeling of pressure in your pelvis

In some cases, you could experience fatigue, fever, chills, pain in your lower back or the side of your back, nausea or vomiting, but these symptoms are more likely a sign of a kidney infection.

Symptoms of UTIs aren’t the same for everyone, and not everyone will have all of these symptoms.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), bladder infections (cystitis) are the most common type of UTI. Kidney infections (pyelonephritis) and prostate infections aren’t as likely, but they are more serious.

What causes UTIs?

Most UTIs happen when bacteria, usually E. coli, enter the urinary tract. Common causes and risk factors include:

Behavioral and physical risk factors

• Sexual activity (especially in women)
• Poor hygiene practices (e.g., wiping back to front)
• Not emptying the bladder fully
• Urinary tract blockages (like kidney stones)
• Use of catheters
• Recent urinary tract procedures

Medical and biological factors

• Weakened immune system (due to conditions like diabetes or medications)
• Hormonal changes (pregnancy or menopause)
• Postmenopausal changes (thinner vaginal walls, fewer protective bacteria)
• Certain birth control methods (spermicides, diaphragms)
• Genetic predisposition (family history of frequent UTIs)
• Anatomy (shorter urethra in women)

Other contributors

• Age (higher risk in older adults and young children)
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Past history of UTIs

How are UTIs diagnosed?

Your provider may use several tools to diagnose a UTI:

• Medical history and symptom review
• Physical exam (checking for tenderness or signs of infection)
• Urine sample and culture (to identify the bacteria and choose the right antibiotic)
• Cystoscopy (if UTIs are frequent)
• Imaging tests (MRI, ultrasound or CT scan, to check for blockages or kidney involvement)

When to see a doctor

Symptoms of a UTI always need to be checked by a health care provider, but it’s especially important to seek care and treatment for:

• Fever associated with UTI symptoms
• Severe or worsening symptoms
• Recurring UTIs or symptoms that don’t improve with antibiotic treatment
• Symptoms in children, pregnant women or adults over age 65
• Underlying health conditions that could be a factor

How are UTIs treated?

Sometimes UTIs go away on their own, but since they are almost always caused by bacteria, you’ll usually need antibiotics to treat them. Rarely, viruses or fungi can cause UTIs. If you have this type of UTI, your doctor may prescribe antiviral or antifungal medications.

To choose an antibiotic, your doctor will consider how severe the infection is, your medical history and any antibiotic allergies or intolerances. They will also want to consider antibiotic resistance (when certain bacteria strains no longer respond to certain antibiotics).

Common antibiotics for UTIs:

• Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Bactrim DS)
• Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Macrobid, Furadantin)
• Fosfomycin (Monurol)
• Cephalexin
• Ceftriaxone (IV antibiotic, not usually part of outpatient treatment)

Your doctor might prescribe fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro) or levofloxacin for a kidney infection or a complex UTI. They aren’t usually prescribed for simple UTIs.

You’ll probably feel better within a few days, but taking antibiotics as directed and finishing the entire prescription is important, even if your symptoms improve. Otherwise, the infection can return.

Along with antibiotics, these steps can help:

Can pain relievers help UTI symptoms?

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help reduce pain, fever and symptoms until the antibiotics take effect. Be sure to check with your provider before taking any medication. You may also want to put a warm heating pad on your abdomen for pain relief.

Why should you drink more fluids with a UTI?

Drinking plenty of water and other fluids can help flush bacteria out of your urinary tract so you can heal. Water is the best choice, but you can also drink non-caffeinated fluids such as herbal tea or unsweetened 100% cranberry juice (not cranberry juice cocktail, which contains sugar). Cranberry juice has been shown to help decrease the risk of developing a urinary tract infection, but it isn’t a substitute for antibiotics and you shouldn’t rely on it for treatment if you are having symptoms. Don’t drink alcohol, citrus juices or caffeinated drinks, until you recover. They can irritate your bladder.

Can urinary pain relievers ease discomfort?

In some cases, your provider may recommend or prescribe urinary pain relievers (analgesics), such as AZO or Pyridium, to help with the discomfort or burning sensation you may feel during urination. These medications provide relief while the antibiotics work to eliminate the infection, but they only relieve symptoms. They are not a substitute for antibiotics.

Why are follow-up tests important after a UTI?

After you finish taking your antibiotics, your provider may want to see you to make sure that the infection was successfully treated. They will most likely test another urine sample to make sure the bacteria that caused your UTI is gone.

What if you get frequent UTIs?

UTIs are very common. If you’ve had one before, you may recognize the symptoms. But it’s not a good idea to diagnose and treat yourself. It's important to check with your health care provider for advice and treatment based on your overall health and your specific infection.

If you get frequent UTIs, your provider might recommend:

• Low-dose antibiotics that you take for a long time
• A single dose of an antibiotic after you have sex
• Antibiotics you take at the first sign of an infection
• Vaginal estrogen therapy, if you’re post-menopausal

Untreated or frequent UTIs can cause complications such as kidney infections or an infection that spreads to the bloodstream. Young children, people with diabetes, people with weakened immune systems or people who get UTIs frequently should seek care quickly. They may need specialized testing because of their higher risk of complications.

More serious UTIs might need intravenous (IV) antibiotic treatment in a hospital. Getting treatment for a UTI if you’re pregnant is very important, since you’re at higher risk of delivering a low birth weight or premature baby.

How to prevent UTIs

You can’t totally avoid UTIs. But you can take these steps to make it less likely you’ll be infected:

• Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. Urinating helps flush bacteria out of the urinary tract.
• Wipe from front to back after using the toilet to keep germs from the anus away from the urethra.
• Urinate before and after sexual activity. If you can’t urinate, wash the genital area with warm water.
• Urinate as soon as you need to. Don’t hold your urine for a long time.
• Take showers rather than baths.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing and cotton underwear.
• Don’t use feminine hygiene products such as douches, sprays or powders. They can disrupt the natural balance of the urinary tract.
• When you have your period, change pads and tampons frequently.
• Consider taking probiotics or cranberry products such as 100% unsweetened cranberry juice or supplements. They may help protect against UTIs. Your health care provider can tell you about the pros and cons of supplements.

If you’re taking these steps and you’re still getting UTIs frequently, call your provider. There might be underlying causes or risk factors that are causing your infections.

When to call your doctor

UTIs are common and usually easy to treat, but you shouldn’t ignore the symptoms. If you think you may have a UTI—or if your symptoms aren’t getting better—contact your provider. Early treatment can help you feel better fast and prevent complications.

Banner Health is here to help

If you're dealing with symptoms of a UTI, don't wait. At Banner Health, our compassionate providers can diagnose and treat urinary tract infections quickly and effectively.

Schedule an appointment today and get the care you need to feel better.