WHAT IS UTI AND WHY IS IT SERIOUS?Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection of any part of the urinary tract, but most often refers to a bladder or kidney infection.
Although urine contains fluids, salts and waste products from the blood, it is normally sterile. When bacteria enter the bladder or kidney, they multiply whilst in the urine and can result in a Urinary Tract Infection.
UTI is very a common problem, especially for women who have a predisposition to such infections. Antibiotics are frequently prescribed, often resulting in patients developing resistance to medication as the bacteria build their resistance over time.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF UTI
• Pain or burning sensation while urinating
• Lower abdominal pain
• Frequent need to urinate
• Difficulty to start urination or sense of incomplete urination
• Blood or pus in the urine
• Leaking urine or incontinence
• Strong-smelling urine
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Chills or fever (fever may be the only symptom in infants and women)
CAUSES OF UTI
• “Holding” the need to urinate for long periods
• Insufficient daily intake of water
• Heavy use of antibiotics
• Use of diaphragms, spermicides or other products which might irritate
• A blockage in the urinary tract (benign masses or tumors)
• A history of UTI, especially if infections were less than six months apart
• Pregnancy
• Multiple sex partners without the use of condoms
• Diabetes
• Poor diet
• Sensitivity to birth control pills








