Urinary tract infection
A urinary tract infection is an infection that develops in any part of the urinary system The urinary system consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra Most infections develop in the lower urinary tract (bladder and urethra).
Women have a greater risk of urinary tract infection A bladder infection can be painful and uncomfortable Serious complications can develop if the infection spreads to the kidneys
Antibiotics are used to treat urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infections develop when bacteria enter the bladder through the urethra and begin to multiply. Urinary tracts have protective mechanisms, but sometimes bacteria bleed through them and a serious infection develops
Most urinary tract infections occur in women and involve the bladder and urethra
- Infection of the urinary bladder (cystitis) Its frequent cause is Escherichia coli, which is a common bacterium in the gastrointestinal tract Sexual contact is one of the ways to develop cystitis All women are at increased risk of cystitis due to their anatomy, as the female urethra is very close to the anus and the external opening of the urethra to the bladder.
- Urinary tract infection (urethritis) This urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria in the digestive tract spread from the anus to the urethra. Because of the proximity of the vagina and urethra, sexually transmitted diseases, including herpes, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, can also cause urethritis.
A urinary tract infection may have no signs or symptoms If signs and symptoms occur, they are:
- Strong, prolonged urge to urinate
- Burning when urinating
- Frequent urination with small volumes
- Curly urine
- Red, pink, or Coca-Cola-colored urine - blood in the urine
Forms of urinary tract infection
Each form of urinary tract infection gives different symptoms, depending on their location.
Damaged part of the urinary tract
- Kidneys (acute pyelonephritis) dull pain in the back and pelvis, high temperature, fever and chills, nausea, vomiting
- Urinary bladder (cystitis) feeling of pressure in the pelvis, lower abdomen
