Did you know that 1 in 3 women will develop a Urinary Tract Infection before they reach the age of 24?

Do you feel a burning pain when you urinate? Does your urine look cloudy, or have a strong smell? You might have a urinary tract infection (UTI).

What is a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

UTIs are frequent infections that develop when bacteria, from the skin or rectum, get into the urethra (the tube that allows urine to exit the bladder and the body) and infect the urinary tract. Although the infections can affect different areas of the urinary tract, the bladder and urethra are the most commonly affected.

Risk Factors

Women are more likely than men to develop a UTI. A recent international study reported that a woman’s lifetime probability of getting a UTI is up to 50%, and slightly more than 50% chance of recurrence within 1 year. According to Sarah Moore, nearly one in three women will experience a UTI before the age of 24, and more than half of women will experience a UTI at some point in their lives. The shorter length and proximity of urethras in females may account for this. As a result, bacteria can enter the urinary tract more easily.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of UTI may include:

An intense urge to urinate that persists.
A burning sensation during urination.
Frequent urination and little urine output.
Cloudy-looking urine.
Reddish pee, a symptom of blood in the urine.
Urine that smells strongly.
Pelvic discomfort in females, particularly in the pubic bone region and the middle of the pelvic.

When to Seek Medical Care

The majority of UTIs (uncomplicated) can be treated at home using antibiotics that were recommended by a medical expert. Recent findings, however, indicate that this bacterium is getting more and more resistant to antibiotics that are already on the market. The implication of this includes reduced QOL, work & school absenteeism, and high cost of treatment.

Talk to your healthcare professional if you have symptoms of a UTI or for any symptom that is severe or concerning.

>>Request an appointment at Kairos Healthcare

Prevention

You can help prevent UTIs by doing the following:

Drink lots of fluids (Stay well hydrated).
Instruct girls to wipe from front to back when using the restroom.
Do not use of powders and sprays in the vaginal region unless prescribed by the Doctor.
Urinate after sexual activity.
Use showers as opposed to baths.

Article by Kairos Healthcare

Reviewed by Dr. Alex Mayanja