Urinary Tract Infection

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that affects the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The majority of UTIs affect the bladder.

Both women and men are susceptible, but women are more likely to develop a UTI because they have a shorter urethra than men.

It's important to treat UTIs promptly because if left untreated the infection can spread to the kidneys, which is serious and can cause permanent damage.

Symptoms of UTI

Common symptoms associated with UTIs include:

A strong, persistent urge to urinate
A burning sensation when urinating
Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
Urine that appears cloudy
Urine that appears red or bright pink, a sign of blood in the urine.

Treatment for UTI

If a urinalysis confirms the presence of bacteria, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat your UTI. Your symptoms should clear within a few days. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics are:

Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin)
Ampicillin
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
Nitrofurantoin (Furadantin, Macrodantin)
Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra)

Preventing UTI

To prevent a UTI from developing:

Drink plenty of water to frequently flush bacteria out of your urinary tract
Wipe from front to back after using the toilet to avoid spreading bacteria from your anus to your urinary tract
Avoid irritating feminine products