Oak Valley Health’s patient education pages share the skills, knowledge, and habits patients and families need to know to cope with a daily health issue. We hope this information can influence patient behaviour to improve health outcomes and provide you with a sense of control and autonomy.
Learn more about the risks, causes, and treatment of urinary tract infection
What is a urinary tract infection? A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary system. The urinary system includes:
Kidneys
Ureters
Bladder
Urethra
Urine is produced, stored, and eliminated by the urinary system.
What causes a urinary tract infection? Bacterial infections are the most common cause of a urinary tract infection.
What increases the risks?
You have a catheter to drain urine
You cannot control bowel or urine function
You are female and use the following methods to prevent pregnancy
You have low levels of estrogen
You are pregnant
Genetic history of UTI
You are sexually active
You take antibiotic medicines
You are diabetic
You have a weak immune system
How do I know that I have a urinary tract infection?
Urgently needing to urinate
Urinating often in small amounts
There is blood in urine
Urine smells bad
Difficulty urinating
Urine is cloudy
Fluid coming from vagina (female)
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Diarrhea
Fever
How is this treated?
Medicine
Drinking plenty of water
If you have been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, please contact your doctor or healthcare provider immediately if you are experiencing any of the following:
You do not get better after 1-2 days
Your symptoms come and go
Nausea/vomiting/discomfort in the lower back or side of the abdomen
If you have been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, please get help immediately if you are experiencing any of the following:
You have back pain
You have pain in your abdomen
You have a fever
You feel nauseous/ vomiting
Where can I get more information?
Reference: Urinary Tract Infection. (2021, June 08). Elsevier Inc: ClinicalKey for Nursing. Retrieved from here.
