Urinary Tract Infections — AIPM HealthyLife®

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are ones that occur in any organs that make up the urinary tract. The kidneys filter waste products from the blood and make urine. Ureters connect the kidney to the bladder. This holds urine until it is passed.

Signs & Symptoms

A strong need to pass urine
You pass urine more often than usual
A sharp pain or burning feeling when you pass urine
Bloody or cloudy urine
It feels like your bladder is still full after you pass urine.
Pain in the abdomen, back, or sides
Chills. Fever.
Nausea or vomiting
A change in mental status, especially if you are over age 70

Sometimes there are no symptoms with a UTI.

Causes

UTIs result when bacteria infect any part of the urinary tract. The bladder is the most common site.

Persons at Greater Risk for UTIs

Sexually active females
Females who use a diaphragm for birth control
Males and females who have had UTIs in the past
Anyone with a condition that doesn’t allow urine to pass freely. An enlarged prostate gland (in males) and kidney stones are examples.

Treatment

An antibiotic is prescribed to treat the specific infection. Pain relievers are taken as needed. If you get UTIs often, your doctor may order medical tests to find out the root of the problem.

Triage Questions

Question 1

Do you have these symptoms of a kidney infection?

Fever and shaking chills
Pain in your back or in one or both sides of your mid back
Nausea and vomiting

Self-Care / Prevention

Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
Avoid alcohol, spicy foods, and caffeine.
Get plenty of rest.
Take an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine for pain or one that relieves pain and spasms that come with a bladder infection (e.g., Uristat). {