Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
If you’ve ever experienced a UTI, you’ll know the tell-tale signs - an intense and constant urge or pressure to urinate followed by a burning pain when you do.
It’s one of the most common infections in humans, affecting around 1 in 2 women and 1 in 20 men during their lifetime*^. Urinary Tract Infections (commonly referred to as UTIs) can happen anywhere in the urinary tract# and are very common in women, babies and the elderly.
UTIs occur when microbes (microscopic bacteria) or germs enter the urinary tract or bladder and multiply, causing a number of painful symptoms.
If left untreated, the infection can spread to your kidneys and other parts of your body, so it’s important to know the signs to look out for and seek treatment immediately.
Explore UTI topics below
What are the different types of UTIs?
Because UTI is a broad term relating to an infection of anywhere in the urinary tract (including in the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra)#, there are different types of UTIs based on where the infection is*:
Urethritis - Infection of the urethra
Cystitis - Infection of the bladder
Pyelonephritis - Infection of the kidneys
Vaginitis - Infection of the vagina
Prostatitis - Infection of the prostate (men)
How long does a UTI last?
Most UTIs can be cured by taking a course of antibiotics. Once treatment begins, symptoms usually go away within 24 to 48 hours. If you have a more severe infection, such as a kidney infection, symptoms may last longer even with treatment.1
Symptoms checker
Kidney infection
If a UTI has reached the kidneys, seek medical attention immediately as this can lead to more serious health conditions. In addition to the above UTI symptoms, someone with a kidney infection may also experience*:
- Fever or chills
- Lower abdominal pain
- Back pain
- Vomiting
What causes a UTI?
Our kidneys are responsible for filtering waste product through our urine, through a tube called a ‘ureter’ which connects to the bladder.
When urine leaves the kidney through the ureters and enters the bladder, our body receives the signal to wee. Urine leaves our body through another tube called a ‘urethra’ (different to ureter)*.
Urinary tract infections happen when a microbe enters the urinary tract (often through the urethra, but sometimes through the bloodstream) and multiplies, causing inflammation, pain, and other nasty side effects^.
Bacteria can get into the urethra several ways*:
- The most common bacteria to cause a UTI is Escherichia coli (E. coli), which is spread from the anus to the urethra. This can occur if you wipe incorrectly and accidentally transfer faecal bacteria into the urethra
- Yeast getting into the urinary tract, such as from thrush. However sometimes treating a UTI with antibiotics can lead to a yeast infection<.
- Sexual transmission – it can be shared between contact with partners
- Not drinking enough water – drinking plenty of water means our bladder tends to empty more frequently, and helps to flush out any bacteria from lingering in the urinary tract walls
- Poor bathroom hygiene (such as wiping from back to front) may contribute
Can a UTI heal on its own?
Very mild UTIs may heal on their own within a few days. However, most of the time, antibiotics are needed to treat a UTI. Left untreated, a UTI can become more serious.
It’s possible for bacteria to enter the bloodstream which can be life-threatening.2
Can recurrent UTIs be a sign of cancer?
Recurrent UTIs are usually not a sign of cancer but they can be linked to cancer. Many other conditions can cause similar symptoms to a UTI.
If you experience recurrent symptoms, see your doctor to ensure you receive the right diagnosis and treatment for your condition.4
Is a UTI contagious?
No. UTIs are not a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and are not ‘contagious’*. However, the bacteria can be passed between partners through sexual contact occurring in or near the areas containing bacteria, so it’s important to see your GP and treat both people as soon as possible.
How to treat a UTI?
UTI’s are treated with antibiotics prescribed by a GP. If you think you have a UTI (particularly if you think it’s a bladder or kidney infection), it’s important to seek urgent medical attention as it can help prevent the infection from spreading or getting worse*. If you’re presenting with UTI symptoms, your doctor will perform a urine test to identify which microbe is present and the most effective antibiotics to treat it. In most cases, a UTI is easy to treat and relatively quick to clear up with a course of antibiotics.
What happens if you don’t treat a UTI?
Some UTIs may go away on their own, however the symptoms can be very unpleasant to suffer through, and it can be risky to leave a UTI untreated. An untreated urinary tract infection can grow worse over time and spread to the kidneys and other parts of your body. In rare cases, it can even spread to the bloodstream which can be life threatening. Don’t ignore your symptoms – seek medical help.
How to help prevent a UTI
UTIs are often unavoidable and almost always unpleasant. But prevention is always better than a cure, and there’s plenty of things you can do to help prevent getting a UTI in the first place. A few approaches some women find helpful include*#:
- Drink lots of water to flush the urinary system, aiming for 6-8 glasses (or 1.5-2L) per day
- Wipe from front to back (vagina towards bottom) after going to the toilet
- Empty your bladder before and after sex
- Empty bladder completely when you go to the toilet
- Avoid holding on to a full bladder – go as soon as you feel the urge to urinate as the longer the urine is held in the bladder, the more time bacteria can grow
- Treat vaginal infections (like thrush) immediately
- Avoid using creams that kill sperm (spermicides), and talk to your Doctor about different birth control options instead
- Take care to wash thoroughly each day, and avoid using douches or feminine hygiene sprays
- Take showers or limit baths to 30 minutes
- Wear cotton underwear and avoid tight-fitting pants that trap moisture. Remember to change out of swimwear or fitness wear quickly.
Can cranberry juice prevent a UTI?
Research on how effective cranberry juice is in treating or preventing UTIs is mixed*. It has been a popular method in the past as cranberries contain a substance that help prevent the E. coli bacteria from attaching to cells in the wall of the urinary tract. If this is something you’re trying, be sure to let your Doctor know as cranberry juice can impact the effectiveness of some antibiotics*.
When to seek help?
Urinary tract infections can become very dangerous if left untreated. If you think you have a UTI, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Early treatment of urinary infection can help prevent infection spreading to the bladder or kidneys which are both serious issues*.
How TerryWhite Chemmart can help
Products that may help
Always read the label and follow the directions of use
