Urinary Tract Infection Specialist

What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?

A urinary tract infection often causes a burning sensation when you urinate. But it has other symptoms too, including:

• A strong need to urinate
• Cloudy-looking urine
• Urine that is tinged with blood and appears cola-colored, pink or reddish
• Urine with a strong smell
• Pelvic pain (in women)
• Burning in your lower back: On either or both sides
• A low fever

Who can get a UTI?

Men, women, and children may all develop a urinary tract infection.  A child can’t always describe these symptoms, but you may suspect a UTI if she has a fever, is irritable, complains of stomach or back pain, and is less active than usual.

What causes a urinary tract infection?

When bacteria enters your urinary tract, it begins to multiply and can cause infection. The bacteria may have originated in your rectum or your GI tract.

Why are women more likely to get a UTI?

Women’s anatomy makes it so that bacteria can infect the bladder more easily. Women also have a shorter urethra so bacteria doesn’t have to travel as far to cause infection.

Wiping back to front can bring fecal bacteria near the urethra, allowing it to travel to the bladder to cause an infection. Sexual intercourse can also put bacteria closer to the bladder to cause a UTI.

What are the treatments for a UTI?

Dr. Santos and Dr. Sharma prescribe antibiotics to clear up the bacterial infection causing your UTI. These usually resolve the symptoms within a few days, but always take the full course of medication to be protected.

If your symptoms are unbearable, you may also receive a pain medication to numb the region affected by the UTI.

How can I prevent a UTI from recurring?

If you’re susceptible to urinary tract infections, take preventive action.

Stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water. You will urinate more frequently and flush out bacteria.

Good bathroom habits that include wiping from front to back and avoiding potentially irritating products, such as douches or powders, also helps.

Urinate shortly after intercourse and consider the type of birth control you use. Diaphragms and some condoms can promote bacterial growth.