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Urinary Tract Infection

• What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?
• What are the causes of urinary infection?
• What should I do if I develop the symptoms of urinary infection?

Urinary infections usually present with increased frequency of passing urine, an inability to wait when the urge to pass urine comes, and burning or pain during micturition. These symptoms may be associated with fever, and dirty or smelly urine. There may be blood in the urine.

What are the causes of urinary infection?

The causes of urinary infection depend on a number of factors, including the age and sex of the patient. In general urinary infection is commoner in females than in males. Bacteria always contaminate the area around the urinary orifice in both sexes, and almost all urinary infection is due to ascent of these bacteria into the urinary tract. The human body has several defense mechanisms against these infections and usually symptomatic infections do not develop. Symptoms develop when there is some structural abnormality of the renal system that alters the flow of urine : this may include congenital ( from birth ) abnormalities in children and infants, stones in both sexes, prostate trouble in men, and hormonal factors in women.

What should I do if I develop the symptoms of urinary infection?

Drink plenty of fluids, and report to the doctor. He will usually send a sample of urine for testing and start you on an antibiotic. After control of infection he may investigate you further with an ultrasonogram to exclude structural abnormalities which cause urinary infection. Once a cause has been found appropriate treatment will be given.