Urinary tract infections (UTIs or pokenga pūaha mimi) can affect any part of your urinary system – kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. UTIs are also known as cystitis or bladder infections. Show
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Key points about UTIs
See other pages for UTIs in pregnancy, UTIs in women, and UTIs in children. What is a UTI?A UTI is a bacterial infection in some part of your urinary system. Your urinary system includes all the organs involved in making and releasing urine (pee):
Male urinary tract. Image credit: Urology Care Foundation When the infection is just in the bladder (cystitis) and urethra (urethritis), it is called a lower UTI. If it travels up to affect one or both kidneys as well (pyelonephritis) then it is called an upper UTI. An upper UTI can be more serious than a lower UTI as the kidneys can become damaged by the infection. What causes a UTI?An infection in your urinary system may be caused by:
Who is at risk of developing a UTI?A UTI is uncommon in men because the urethra is long so bacteria have a harder time travelling up to the bladder. UTIs are more common if you:
What are the symptoms of a UTI?If you have any symptoms of a UTI, you should see a doctor. Your symptoms could mean that you have a UTI or another condition, eg, a sexually transmitted infection STI, prostatitis or pyelonephritis. Symptoms of a UTI include:
Older men may have no symptoms or fever. Often the only symptoms are being more muddled, sleepier, incontinent, off food, or just generally unwell. Confusion and sleepiness can put older adults at risk of falls.
How is a UTI diagnosed?To diagnose a UTI, your GP will examine you and ask you questions about your general health. Sometimes that might be enough to diagnose a UTI. Your doctor may want you to do a urine sample to identify what bacteria is causing the infection. Other tests could include a blood test, and checking your temperature and heart rate. How is a UTI treated?The main aims of treatment are to relieve your symptoms, treat the infection and prevent the infection spreading to your kidneys. AntibioticsUTIs are generally treated with antibiotics such as nitrofurantoin, cefalexin or trimethoprim. Usually, a 3–5 day course of antibiotics is needed to treat the infection and reduce the risk of it spreading to your kidneys and causing pyelonephritis. Your symptoms should begin to improve within the first 2 days of taking antibiotics. If your doctor advises you to take antibiotics, it's important to finish the whole course of antibiotics, even if you start to feel better before the course is finished. If your symptoms continue for more than 2 days after starting treatment, or you get worse, see your doctor as soon as possible in case you need a different antibiotic or the infection has spread to your kidneys. If you have recurrent UTIs (you keep getting them), or are at higher risk of complications, your doctor may give you a low dose antibiotic to take for a few months. How long you need to take the antibiotic depends on how frequently your UTIs happen. Can I get antibiotics for a UTI from my pharmacy without a prescription?No. Because UTIs in men are rare, it is important to see your doctor for checks and treatment. Pain relief only is not recommendedAllowing your immune system to fight the infection (by taking only pain relief and not using antibiotics) is not recommended. Antibiotics can reduce the length of time you have symptoms by about 2 days, and they also reduce the risk of developing complications like pyelonephritis. What self-care can I do with a UTI?
Cranberry, probiotics, D-mannoseYou may see some of these options recommended for preventing UTIs but there is no evidence that they work. Read more about cranberries and UTIs and D-mannose and UTIs. Learn moreUrinary tract infection Ministry of Health, NZ References
What causes a bladder infection in men?When men get them, a prostate infection usually is the cause. But any blockage -- like from a bladder stone or enlarged prostate -- can prevent the bladder from totally emptying and cause infection.
How do you treat a male bladder infection?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. You'll probably start taking those antibiotics before you get the results of your urine test.
Where does a man hurt with a bladder infection?Symptoms of a lower tract UTI can include pelvic pressure, pain or pressure in the lower abdomen, frequent and painful urination, blood in urine, and discharge.
Will male bladder infection go away on its own?While some UTIs may go away without antibiotic treatment, Dr. Pitis cautions against foregoing antibiotics. “While it's possible for the body to clear a mild infection on its own in some cases, it can be very risky not to treat a confirmed UTI with antibiotics,” says Dr. Pitis.
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