Types of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common – particularly in women, babies and older people. Around one in two women and one in 20 men will get a UTI in their lifetime. The kidneys control the amount of water in the blood and filter out waste products to form urine. Each kidney has a tube called a ureter, which joins the kidney to the bladder. Types of UTIs.

The urine leaves the kidneys through the ureters and enters the bladder. The bladder ‘signals’ the urge to urinate and urine leaves the body through a tube called the urethra.

The urinary system is designed to minimize the risk of serious infection in the kidneys. It does this by preventing the urine from flowing back up into the kidneys from the bladder. Most urinary infections are confined to the bladder and, while causing symptoms, are not serious or life-threatening.

• urethritis – infection of the urethra
• cystitis – infection of the bladder
• pyelonephritis – infection of the kidneys
• vaginitis – infection of the vagina.

Risk factors for developing UTIs

Some people are at greater risk than others of developing UTIs. These include:

• women – sexually active women are vulnerable, in part because the urethra is only four centimeters long and bacteria have only this short distance to travel from the outside to the inside of the bladder
• people with urinary catheters – such as people who are critically ill, who can’t empty their own bladder
• people with diabetes – changes to the immune system make a person with diabetes more vulnerable to infection
• men with prostate problems – such as an enlarged prostate gland that can cause the bladder to only partially empty
• babies – especially those born with physical problems (congenital abnormalities) of the urinary system.

Prevention of UTIs

Although not always backed up by clinical research, some women have found some suggestions useful in reducing their risk of developing urinary tract infections, including:

• Drink plenty of water and other fluids to flush the urinary system.
• Treat vaginal infections such as thrush or trichomonas quickly.
• Avoid using spermicide-containing products, particularly with a diaphragm contraceptive device.
• Go to the toilet as soon as you feel the urge to urinate, rather than holding on.
• Wipe yourself from front to back (urethra to anus) after going to the toilet.
• Empty your bladder after sex.
• Avoid constipation.

Cranberries (usually as cranberry juice) have been used to prevent UTIs. Cranberries contain a substance that can prevent E. coli bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract lining cells. However, recent research has shown that cranberry juice does not have a significant benefit in preventing UTIs, and most people are unable to continue drinking the juice on a long-term basis.

Let your doctor know if you are having cranberry juice as it can alter the effectiveness of some antibiotics.

Causes of UTIs

When bacteria enter the urinary tract and multiply, they can cause a UTI. To infect the urinary system, a micro-organism usually has to enter through the urethra or, rarely, through the bloodstream. The most common bacterium to cause UTIs is Escherichia coli (E. coli). It is usually spread to the urethra from the anus.

Other micro-organisms, such as mycoplasma and chlamydia, can cause urethritis in both men and women. These micro-organisms are sexually transmitted so when these infections are detected, both partners need medical treatment to avoid re-infection.

Seek medical attention

It is important to seek medical attention if you think you may have a UTI – particularly if you think you may have a bladder or kidney infection, both of which are very serious conditions. Early treatment of urinary infection can help to prevent infection spreading to the bladder or kidneys.

Your doctor will test your urine to check which micro-organism is present. Urinary tract infections usually respond quickly and well to antibiotics.

Types of UTIs.