How do u get a uti

People with catheters may only experience fever as a symptom, making diagnosis more difficult. Acute pyelonephritis is a sudden and severe kidney infection.

If an individual develops this condition they could also experience upper back and side pain, high fever, shaking, chills, fatigue , and mental changes.

It is considered an emergency and should be evaluated by a doctor immediately if suspected. If a person has a bladder infection, they could also experience low fever, and pressure and cramping in the abdomen and lower back. Recurrent or long-lasting kidney infections can cause permanent damage, and some sudden kidney infections can be life-threatening, particularly if bacteria enter the bloodstream in a condition known as septicemia.

They can also increase the risk of women delivering infants that are premature or have a low birth weight. Individuals are advised to contact a doctor if they develop the symptoms of a UTI, especially if they have developed the symptoms of a potential kidney infection. Diagnosis will usually be made after asking about the symptoms and testing a urine sample to assess the presence of white blood cells, red blood cells, and bacteria. This requires that a person wash their genital area before providing a urine sample mid-flow.

This helps to prevent bacteria from around the genital area getting caught in the sample. If a person has recurrent UTIs, a doctor may request further diagnostic testing to determine if anatomical issues or functional issues are to blame.

Such tests may include:. UTIs in men are rare. The incidence for men under the age of 50 years is between 5 and 8 men in every 10, The risk of infection increases with age.

For men, however, the prostate is also at risk of infection. A man with a circumcised penis is less likely to get a UTI that a man who has not undergone circumcision. As UTIs are normally caused by bacteria, they are most commonly treated with antibiotics or antimicrobials. The type of medication and length of treatment will depend on the symptoms and medical history of the individual.

The full course of treatment should always be completed for UTIs to make sure that the infection is fully clear, and to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance. UTI symptoms can disappear before the infection has completely gone. Drinking lots of fluids and frequently urinating are always recommended for people who have UTIs as this helps to flush out the bacteria.

A variety of pain relief medications may be prescribed to alleviate pain. Applying a heating pad to the back or abdomen can also help. An uncomplicated UTI is one that occurs in an otherwise healthy person with a normal clear urinary tract. According to Harvard Health , having a mother or sister who has frequent UTIs may increase your risk for getting one, too.

The symptoms that accompany a UTI can cause discomfort. If severe enough, this discomfort can put a serious kink in your day-to-day life. Depending on the location, you may also experience pain in your upper back and abdominal sides. This may be a sign that the infection has spread to your kidneys. Alongside pain, you may also experience:. Besides having sex, some of the most common causes include:. If you have symptoms of a UTI, make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible.

Most UTIs can be successfully treated with antibiotics. According to the ACOG, most antibiotic treatments are very effective and last only a few days.

There are also other medications available for treatment that are not antibiotic based. To help ease symptoms of abdominal pain or discomfort while urinating, your doctor may also prescribe pain medication.

If a UTI is more complicated or has progressed to a more severe infection, your doctor may prescribe additional medications or consider hospitalization. In addition to any treatment plan your doctor may prescribe, consider the following tips to prevent a UTI from coming back:.

Richardson also suggests taking a vaginal probiotic. These probiotic capsules might prevent recurring UTIs by helping to maintain a healthy vaginal flora on a daily basis. One popular tip you may have heard about is drinking cranberry juice to prevent UTIs.

Sexual intercourse can increase your risk for getting a UTI, but there are simple steps you can take to reduce your chance of getting one. Pee right after sex and keep your genital area clean.

Consider possibly using a different form of contraception. Talk with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about how to prevent a UTI. Go to You'll be asked about your symptoms and may need to give a urine sample. Your doctor or nurse may offer self-care advice and recommend taking a painkiller.

They may give you a prescription for antibiotics if they think you may need them. You may be asked to start taking these immediately, or to wait to see if your symptoms improve. It's important to finish the whole course of antibiotics, even if you start to feel better.

If your UTI comes back after treatment, you may have a urine test and be prescribed different antibiotics. If you keep getting UTIs and regularly need treatment, a GP may give you a repeat prescription for antibiotics. If you have been through the menopause, you may be offered a vaginal cream containing oestrogen.