Urinary Tract Infections

 
     
  urinary tract infections

The vast majority of urinary infections in adults are treated by primary care physicians (GPs). As a general rule, urologists only become involved if further investigations are required, or if other causes have been identified. Referral may be considered for:

  • stones; poorly-draining bladders; abnormal kidneys; or when infections become recurrent with no obvious cause.


Most urine infections are caused by a bacterium called E coli Other types of bacteria may be responsible, and the type of organism can sometimes give a pointer to the underlying problem (e.g. kidney or bladder stones

may be associated with a bacterium called Proteus).

 

What causes urinary infection?


Most urine infections occur when bacteria enter your bladder through your urethra (waterpipe); Risk factors include:

  • Sexual intercourse
  • Passing urine infrequently
  • Incomplete bladder emptying
  • Stones
  • Poorly-draining or misshapen kidneys
  • Catheters

 

Most urine infections are caused by a bacterium called E coli (illustrated right). Other types of bacteria may be responsible, and the type of organism can sometimes give a pointer to the underlying problem (e.g. kidney or bladder stones may be associated with a bacterium called Proteus).

 

How will I know if I have an urinary infection?

 

Symptoms can vary from very mild to severe, depending on whether the infection is confined to your bladder (cystitis) or has affected your kidney(s) as well (pyelonephritis):


Symptoms of bladder infection(Cystitis)

    • Passing urine frequently
    • Urgency (a pressing need to pass urine)
    • Pain in your lower abdomen (tummy)
    • Pain in your urethra (waterpipe)
    • Bloodstained urine

Symptoms of kidney infection (pyelonephritis)

  • Fever
  • Shaking (rigors) and chills
  • Pain in your flank (kidney area)
  • (± symptoms of bladder infection)
  •  

How will my urinary infection be confirmed?


The simplest and most important test is analysis of a sample of your urine; this can normally be done at your GP surgery using a special “dipstick” technique. The stick test also looks for other abnormalities in your urine (e.g. protein, sugar, bilirubin). The results are available immediately, but does not identify the bacteria involved.

 

A more thorough microbiological test, called “microscopy, culture and sensitivity (MC&S)”, is sometimes performed; this requires a mid-stream sample of your urine to be collected into a sterile container, usually at your GP surgery. The result takes 48-72 hours to become available

 

How will my urinary infection be treated?

  • Increasing the amount of fluid you drink
  • Taking regular painkillers (e,g, paracetamol) - this also helps reduce any fever
  • Taking agents which alkalinise your urine (e.g. bicarbonate of soda or preparations which you can buy from any chemist) - these neutralise the acidity of your urine and improve the burning when you pass urine

 

Antibiotics are the most effective treatment for urinary infection. The type and dose will depend on various factors, including:

 

  • Your previous history
  • Other medications (drugs) you may be taking
  • The likely type of bacteria
  • The result of urine microscopy, culture & sensitivity
  • Previous bacterial sensitivities
  • The severity of the infection
  • How unwell you are
  •  

Bladder infection (cystitis) usually responds rapidly to a short course of antibiotics, but kidney infection (pyelonephritis) generally requires a longer course of treatment. In the UK, antibiotics may only be prescribed by a medically-qualified doctor, or by a nurse with special training.

In severe infections, where you are unwell with severe dehydration, sickness or inability to keep down any fluids you take by mouth, hospital treatment with antibiotics by injection may be necessary.

 

Will I need further tests?

 

A single episode of cystitis in a woman that settles quickly on treatment, does not usually need any further investigation.


Recurrent cystitis, pyelonephritis and all urinary infections in men or children should be investigated. Ultrasound scanning is the main method of investigation, looking particularly at bladder emptying. For men (who get stones more commonly than women) a plain abdominal X-ray may be used to exclude stones, together with a flow rate test to look for prostate obstruction.


If any kidney abnormalities are seen on ultrasound scanning, further imaging using CT scanning is often needed.

 

How can I prevent infections in the future?

 

The most important and effective measures are lifestyle changes, including:

Drinking enough fluid to make you need to pass urine every two to three hours

Keeping your urine acidic by taking regular Vitamin C, either as fruit juice or in tablet form;

Passing urine as soon as possible after sexual intercourse;

Avoiding strong soaps in the bath; and

Avoiding constipation

 

Cranberry products (juice or tablets) are not currently recommended to prevent urinary infections. Analysis of the most recent medical studies suggests that they are not as effective as was once thought.

You can download a self help sheet through the following link: https://www.baus.org.uk/_userfiles/pages/files/Patients/Leaflets/Recurrent%20cystitis.pdf

 

Is there anything else I can do?


Antibiotic prophylaxis

When lifestyle alterations and increasing your fluid intake on their own do not work, taking a half or quarter dose of an antibiotic, usually last thing at night, does help prevent further infections. This is best started after a full treatment course for a proven infecton, and may help prevent recurrence of the infection. Your GP will be able to advise you about this.

 

Low-dose vaginal oestrogens

Weekly use of an oestrogen cream or tablet, placed into the vagina, can help reduce the number of infections suffered by some women after the menopause. Oestrogens may be given more frequently for the first four to six weeks of treatment.

 

D-mannose

This is an alternative therapy that you can buy over the counter at health food shops or via the internet. Small studies have suggested that taking two grams every day can help prevent urine infection, but more evidence is needed before we know if this is really true. For the time being, it is well-tolerated and seems safe to take.

 

Are there any newer approaches available?

 

Despite all the measures described above, some patients with normal investigations continue to get infections, and this can be very debilitating.

There are some novel treatments currently being trialled in local urology departments for intractable cystitis. These include:

  • Vaccine treatments;
  • Urinary antiseptics taken by mouth; and
  • Chemical treatments put directly into your bladder through a small catheter.

If your symptoms cannot be controlled by the measures outlined above, you should discuss a hospital referral, to see a urologist, with your GP.

Some/all of these resources are links to external sites,

NHS Choices 
NHS-approved information about urinary tract infection in adults & children

NICE guidance for UTI in adults 
Official guidance on UTI from the National Institute for Heath & Clinical Excellence

 

 

 

 
Summary