Infection at the site of the urinary system is called Urinary tract infection. The kidney, ureters, bladder, and urethra are included in the urinary system. Compared to men, women are most prone to UTIs. UTI in just the bladder can be painful and annoying, but when it has spread to the kidney it can be a serious problem. Primarily, UTI is treated with antibiotics. As it says prevention is better than cure, and taking preventive care for UTI is always recommended. 

Symptoms:

Primarily, UTI is asymptomatic. But symptoms of UTI are included:

• The urge to urinate doesn’t go away even after using the restroom.
• A burning feeling while urinating.
• Cloudy urine.
• Color of urine; red, bright pink, or cola-colored i.e. sign of blood in urine.
• Urine has a strong smell. 
• In women- Pelvic pain especially,  in the center and around the area of the public bone.

Causes:

In simple terms, an Urinary Tract Infection is an infection caused by specific bacteria. Those bacteria enter the urinary system through the urethra, spreading disease in the bladder. 

Commonly, In women bladder and urethra infections can be seen,

1. Infection of Urinary tract- bladder: 

Primarily, Escherichia Coli (E. Coli) is responsible for the infection in the bladder. E.Coli can be found in the gastrointestinal tract. 

The leading cause of the infection is having intercourse, however, to develop this infection you don’t need to be sexually active. Because of the female anatomy, which has less distance between Anus and Urethra, which is close to the bladder. Which makes it easy for bacteria to cause infection in the bladder from the anus. 

2. Infection of Urinary Tract- Urethra 

In this type of infection, GI bacteria can spread to Urethra from Anus. It also includes Herpes, gonorrhea, mycoplasma, and Chlamydia, which is because of less distance between the uterus and vagina in females. 

Risk factors of Urinary tract Infection ( UTI):

UTIs are so common in women that many women suffer more than one UTI during their lifetimes.

Risk factors of UTI specific to women;

1. Status of being sexually active: Being sexually active can be prone to UTIs. The risk of UTI can be increased by having multiple sexual partners.
2. Using certain types of birth control: Using diaphragms and spermicidal agents also can increase the risk. 
3. Anatomy of female: Due to having shorter urethra than men, women are more prone to UTI than men.
4. Menopause: Menopause can bring many changes in women, a decline in circulating estrogen causes changes in the urinary tract causing an increase in the risk of urinary tract infection.
5. Problems in the Urinary tract: Some babies are born with a problem in the urinary tract, which causes trouble in urinating. They are increasing the risk of UTI.
6. Urinary tract blockage: Kidney stones can trap urine in the bladder, increasing the risk of UTIs.
7. A recent urinary procedure: A urinary procedure or examination of the urinary tract ( involving a medical device), can increase the risk of urinary tract infections.
8. A suppressed immunity system: Some diseases can impair the immune system, increasing the risk of urinary tract infection.
9. Use of catheter: Inability to urinate can be the cause of using a catheter. It is used for comfortable urination. Chances of Urinary tract infections increase the risk of UTIs. The catheter can be useful for a person who has neurological problems that make it difficult to control urination.

Prevention for urinary tract infection:  

1. Technique of using tissue/wiping: To women, wiping from front to back after urination and a bowel movement is always recommended. This method can help to prevent bacteria from entering the urethra from the anus and vagina.
2. Urinating after intercourse: It is advisable to drink more liquid and flush bacteria/ clean the urinary tract by urinating. 
3. Avoid using some feminine products: Using some products such as deodorant, powders, and douches on the genital area can irritate the urethra. 
4. Using alternative birth control: Avoid using Diaphragms and spermicide products and use different alternatives.
5. Staying hydrated: The more we drink the more dilute urine is, which leads to increasing frequency of urination and flushing out the bacteria from the urinary tract. Which can minimize the risk of urinary tract infection.

Diagnosis of Urinary tract infection (UTI):

There are approved tests and procedures are done to diagnose UTI, which includes:

1. Analyzing urine samples: 

Healthcare providers may ask to analyze urine samples, Pathology will be dealing with urine samples of a patient, first, they will look for the presence of  RBC ( Red Blood Cells), WBC ( white blood cells), and bacteria. To find evidence of bacteria, a person from the pathology lab will ask for a wipe test of the genitals from the patient with an antiseptic pad, which helps collect the urine midstream.

2. Analyzing images of the urinary tract: 

Frequent UTIs can be a reason because of structural problems in the Urinary tract. To check that scans/ pictures of UTIs are ordered by Medical practitioners, scans such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI to look for the issue.

3. Using a technology to look into the bladder:

For recurrent UTI, cystoscopy is performed. It is used to see inside the urethra and bladder. In cystoscopy, a pipe with a lens is inserted in the urethra and passed through the bladder.

Treatment: 

The primary treatment for Urinary Tract infection (UTI) is using antibiotics.

Depending on the severity of the infection and bacteria, antibiotics are decided. Infections are classified into:

Simple infection: 

Medicines commonly used are 

1. Cephalexin
2. Ceftriaxone
3. Fosfomycin 
4. Nitrofurantoin
5. Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole.

In complicated UTI ( kidney) fluoroquinolone medicine is prescribed if this is only one option for the treatment. After a few days, symptoms of UTI cleared up, but treatment with antibiotics should be continued according to the medical practitioner. For not complicated UTIs treatment of three to four days is provided. The duration of your treatment depends on the infection you have.

Infection which comes back frequently: 

Treatment for frequent UTI is;

1. A low dose of antibiotics
2. Taking a single antibiotic after intercourse.
3. Estrogen therapy for menopausal women.

For severe infection:

For severe infection, treatment is provided by IV infusion, which gives onset of action. It is always advisable to contact your family doctor or any gynecologist for diagnosis and treatment. Urinary tract infections can be manageable and a person can live a comfortable life if it is treated well. 

It is advisable to avoid self-medication, which can have other repercussions. 

Reference:

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353453
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447
3. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9135-urinary-tract-infections