Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A urinary tract infection is an infection of the bladder (cystitis) or, more seriously, the kidneys. It is far more common in women, because the urethra is short, but men get them too, and in men an infection usually points to another problem such as the prostate. Most bladder infections clear quickly with the right antibiotic. The difficulty in Nigeria is antibiotics bought over the counter without a urine test, which breeds infections that stop responding to treatment.
Find a Internal Medicine SpecialistMedically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Burning or stinging when passing urine
- Passing urine often, in small amounts
- A strong urge to go
- Cloudy, dark or strong-smelling urine
- Lower abdominal pain or pressure
- Blood in the urine
- Fever, back or side pain and vomiting (kidney infection)
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor if you have symptoms of a UTI, so a urine test can be sent before antibiotics start, especially if the infection keeps returning, you are a man, you are pregnant or you have diabetes. See a doctor the same day for fever, shivering, pain in the back or side, or vomiting, which can mean the infection has reached the kidneys. A child with a fever and no obvious cause should have a urine test.
Treatment options
- Urine dipstick and urine culture to identify the germ and the right antibiotic
- A short course of an appropriate antibiotic
- Fluids and simple pain relief
- Longer treatment, sometimes in hospital, for a kidney infection
- A scan and specialist review for repeated infections, or any UTI in a man
- Prevention advice for women with recurrent infections
Common Questions
Is a UTI the same as 'toilet infection'?
Not quite. 'Toilet infection' is used in Nigeria for many things, including vaginal thrush, bacterial vaginosis and sexually transmitted infections, none of which come from toilet seats. A UTI is an infection of the urinary tract. They need different treatments, so a proper test matters.
Why does my UTI keep coming back?
Common reasons include an antibiotic that did not match the germ, not finishing treatment, kidney stones, an enlarged prostate in men, diabetes and, in women after menopause, changes in the vaginal tissues. Repeated infections deserve a urine culture each time and a scan.
Can I treat a UTI without antibiotics?
Mild symptoms sometimes settle with fluids within a few days, but most confirmed bacterial UTIs need antibiotics. Cranberry products may help prevent infections in some women but do not treat an active one.
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