HealthInfo Canterbury

Urine infections

A urine (wee) infection is often referred to as a UTI, which stands for urinary tract infection.

The infection is caused by bacteria (germs) entering your urinary tract through your urethra (the tube that you pass urine through). E.coli, which is a bacteria that lives in your bowel, is commonly the cause of the infection.

Sometimes the bacteria that cause a UTI can travel and infect other parts of your urinary tract. An infection of your kidneys is called pyelonephritis. An infection of your bladder is cystitis, and an infection of your urethra is urethritis.

There are several things that increase your risk of getting a UTI:

• being female – women are particularly at risk due to their urethra being shorter, meaning there's less distance for germs to travel
• being older
• being pregnant
• having abnormal structures in your urinary tract
• having an obstruction in your urinary tract such as a kidney stone or an enlarged prostate
• having a urinary catheter
• having diabetes
• sexual intercourse.

Symptoms of a urine infection

Sometimes you won't have any symptoms and sometimes your symptoms can be mild. But you may experience:

• pain or tenderness in your tummy
• pain, stinging or a burning feeling when passing urine
• needing to pass urine frequently.

Someone with dementia may be restless or agitated.

Urine infections can make frail older people very unwell. Often the only symptoms are being more muddled, sleepier, incontinent, off food, or just generally unwell. Confusion and sleepiness can put older people at risk of falls.

If you have an infection in your kidneys you may have:

• back pain
• a fever
• blood in your urine
• nausea or vomiting.

Diagnosing a UTI

To diagnose a UTI, your GP will examine you and ask you questions about your general health. Your doctor will diagnose a kidney infection by getting you to have a urine test. Sometimes they'll arrange a blood test to check for signs of infection and to see how well your kidneys are working.

If you're male, your GP may recommend tests to check your bladder, prostate or kidneys. This is more likely if you're under 50 or if you've an infection more than twice within a few months.

Treating a UTI

A UTI is usually treated quite easily with a short course of antibiotics. Make sure you finish all the antibiotics you're prescribed, even if you're feeling better. You can take pain relief to dull the pain and lower your temperature. You should also drink plenty of fluids.

Preventing a UTI

There are several things you can do to help prevent UTIs:

• drink plenty of fluid
• have a shower instead of a bath
• pass urine frequently, making sure your bladder is fully emptied
• pass urine after having sexual intercourse.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• Lifted Care – UTIs and delirium

  Information about how UTIs can cause delirium in someone with dementia.

• Patient.info
  • Urine infection in men

    Information about the symptoms and treatment of urine infections in men.

  • Urine infection in older people

    Information about urine infections in older people, including symptoms and treatment.

• Unforgettable – Why do urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect dementia?

  This page explains the link between UTIs and dementia, and how they may affect people with dementia differently.

On the next page: Cystitis

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Page created November 2019.

Sources

Page reference: 628315

Review key: HIURS-53047