A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when bacteria gets in your urinary system and begins multiplying. The most common point of entry for this bacteria is your urethra, the tube that drains urine from your body. This bacteria travels up your urethra to your bladder where the infection begins to develop.
While UTIs can develop in your kidneys and ureters (the tubes that connect the kidneys to your bladder), most UTIs are located in the bladder and urethra.
UTIs are very common in women. More than half of women will have at least one UTI at some point in their life, and 4 in 10 women who get a UTI will have at least one more within six months. This is because their urethra is shorter than men’s, making it easier for bacteria to reach their bladder. Additionally, their urethral opening is more exposed to germs than a man’s.
Does that mean men are immune to UTIs? No. Though men are 30 times less likely to develop a UTI then women, it is still a possibility. How do you know if you have a UTI? Let’s take a look.
Symptoms of a UTI
The symptoms for a UTI are largely the same between men and women. They include:
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Painful urination
- Difficulty starting urination
- Sudden need to urinate
- Blood in urine
- And more.
More severe symptoms such as fever, nausea, and chills can develop from serious UTIs. Alternatively, some men may not experience any notable symptoms. The good news is, by drinking plenty of water and being cautious with their sexual activity, men can largely avoid developing a UTI in the first place.
Diagnosing and Treating UTIs
UTIs share symptoms with a number of other conditions that affect the urinary tract, bladder, and reproductive organs. Because of this, it’s very important that you’re diagnosed immediately and accurately. If it ends up being a UTI, your doctor will prescribe treatment.
Typically, UTIs can quickly be taken care of with antibiotic medication. It’s also important that you drink the appropriate amount of fluids. From there, you should be back to normal in a few days. If you’re experiencing symptoms relating to a UTI, make sure to see a urologist so you can be properly diagnosed and treated.
For a urology doctor in the Springfield and Dayton, Ohio area, contact the Urology Specialists of Ohio today!