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Jan 12, 2024 · Susan Barber Lindquist. January 12, 2024. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is common, but it can be serious. "Simple urinary tract infections can be managed by your primary care provider, but when they become complex leading to other issues or problems, you should seek the care of a specialist," says Dr. Mitchell Humphreys, a urologist at Mayo ...
- Cystitis
Inflammation is when a part of your body is swollen and hot....
- Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part...
- Cystitis
- Overview
- What to expect at the emergency room
- What happens if a UTI is left untreated
- The bottom line
Urine that’s unexpectedly bloody warrants a trip to the hospital or emergency room. Flu-like symptoms may also be a sign of severe infection, so it’s important to seek medical care. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help reduce the risk of long-term complications.
Most UTIs affect the lower urinary tract, which is made up of the urethra and bladder. This usually results in localized symptoms related to urination.
However, if left untreated, lower UTIs can migrate to the upper portion of the urinary tract. Upper UTIs cause systemic, flu-like symptoms, such as malaise, fever, chills, vomiting, nausea, and back or side pain.
“An upper UTI can also lead to blood in your urine,” says Monte Swarup, MD, OB-GYN, founder of the health information site HPV HUB.
These symptoms warrant a visit to the emergency room because they suggest that the infection has overtaken the kidneys, says Jill Krapf, MD, OB-GYN, with The Center for Vulvovaginal Disorders in Tampa, Florida.
She notes that medical attention is especially important if you’re at risk for a complicated UTI. This includes people who:
According to Krapf, you can expect a combination of the following:
•Medical history intake
•Physical exam
•Urinalysis
•Urine culture
•Blood test
To be clear: If you have symptoms of a UTI, you should seek medical care. Following the prescribed treatment plan is important if your clinician diagnoses a UTI.
“Left undiagnosed and untreated, a UTI can lead to medical issues that are more serious, such as kidney damage, kidney scarring, and sepsis,” says Swarup. Sepsis can be fatal if left untreated.
Some symptoms of UTIs — such as upper back pain, vomiting, blood in your urine, fever, and chills — warrant immediate medical attention.
Left untreated, UTIs can progress, leading to serious, sometimes permanent, side effects.
- The Two Types of Urinary Tract Infection. Doctors usually refer to UTIs as either “upper tract” or “lower tract.” An upper-tract infection is one that happens in the ureters or kidneys.
- UTI Symptoms. Depending on the location of your UTI, you may have one or more of these symptoms: Frequent bathroom trips. Feeling like you have to pee all the time.
- Diagnosing a UTI. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms. They will also ask about your sexual history because sex can raise your risk for a UTI. Urine tests can confirm whether you have a UTI.
- Treatment for a UTI. Doctors usually treat UTIs with antibiotics you take by mouth. Your doctor will probably choose an antibiotic based on the likely source (such as your bladder) and the bacteria that most commonly cause your UTI.
Oct 15, 2021 · Burning with urination (dysuria), increased urinary frequency, urgency, incontinence, foul smell, blood in the urine, fevers, chills, pain in the abdomen near the bladder. Believe it or not, some ...
- 3 min
Jan 24, 2024 · Men can get UTIs, though they are much more common in women. Men with UTIs may have no signs or symptoms of the infection. However, when symptoms do occur, they can include: pain during urination ...
Aug 16, 2022 · Inflammation is when a part of your body is swollen and hot. It can also be painful. Most of the time, cystitis happens when there's an infection caused by bacteria. This is called a urinary tract infection (UTI). Having a bladder infection can be painful and annoying. It can become a serious health problem if the infection spreads to your kidneys.
People also ask
What are the symptoms of a UTI in men?
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A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary system. The urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra. Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than are men. If an infection is limited to the bladder, it can ...
