A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is an infection that affects any part of the urinary system, which includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra.
Most UTIs are caused by bacteria entering the urethra and traveling up into the urinary tract. However, UTIs can also be caused by viruses or fungi. A majority of the bacteria are those that can be found in the faeces.
The risk factors for UTI include poor hygiene (elderly, children), age, structural problems with the urinary system, pregnancy, unsafe sexual practices, changes in bacteria that live in the vagina from indiscriminate use of drugs, or herbal medicines, and female gender.
Females are more commonly affected due to their shorter urethra, the fleshy pipe coming from the bladder through which urine flows out during urination, which makes it easier for bacteria to enter the bladder.
Common symptoms of a UTI include a strong, persistent urge to urinate, a burning or peppery sensation during urination, cloudy or bloody urine, frequent urination, and lower abdominal pain. Others can include fever, nausea (feeling of wanting to vomit), vomiting, flank, or lower back pain.
Note that despite the source of the most common causative germs (bacteria in faeces) being associated with toilet habits, the toilets are not the cause of the infection but rather our unsanitary habits. Hence, labeling UTI a toilet Infection is not strictly correct as the same germs can also infect other parts of the body, including eyes, nose, mouth, intestines, etc.
Treatment typically involves antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection. Drinking plenty of water and urinating frequently can also help flush out bacteria from the urinary tract. If left untreated, UTIs can potentially lead to more serious complications, so it is important to seek medical attention if a UTI is suspected.
Author: Dr. Yeibake Weriwoyingipre Silver.
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