Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) are infections of the urinary tract caused by bacteria (urethra, ureters, bladder, and kidneys). Painful urination, burning sensation while peeing, frequent urge to urinate, feeling as if the bladder hasn't been emptied despite urinating, abdominal pain, cloudy urine, and blood in the urine are all common symptoms of a UTI. These symptoms may be enough for a healthcare professional to firmly diagnose you with a UTI. A frequent method adopted by doctors is to take urine samples for urinary tract infection tests. This is done in order to confirm the presence of an infection and to determine how to treat it [1].
A urine routine test and a urine culture test are the two most prevalent UTI (Urinary Test Infection) tests. The routine test determines whether or not you have an infection by looking for white blood cells, blood, pus, urine acidity, and other factors. You won't detect them in large levels in your urine unless you have an illness. The culture test is used to determine whether or not an infection is resistant to antibiotics. The urine routine test helps doctors to confirm the existence of an infection. Whereas the culture test results will assist the doctor in prescribing an antibiotic that is effective against the bacteria causing the infection. Antibiotics should not be used before submitting a urine sample for these two tests, as this will render the tests ineffective [2].
Because women's urinary tubes are smaller than men's, they are more susceptible to UTIs. In addition, the female body is built in a way that the urethra and anus are close to each other. As a result, a woman's bladder and urethra are the most typical places where an infection can spread quickly. E coli is a bacteria that is mostly responsible for urinary tract infections. It is also usually responsible for an infection of the bladder called Cystitis. E coli is most typically found in organic matter and faeces. This bacteria can remain in our intestine indefinitely, which isn't a concern. It's concerning when it makes its way out of the intestine and into the urinary tract. This, in turn, causes the germs to grow into a full-fledged infection. [3]
UTIs don't always go away completely, and they can resurface and infect you. If you get three or more UTIs in 12 months, you may have a recurrent UTI. Recurrent UTIs require a somewhat different approach, depending on your doctor's opinion. They may prescribe a long course of antibiotics or treat you as needed when you relapse, along with certain behavioral changes. [4]
There is a possibility that the antibiotics or treatments you might be prescribed won't be effective against UTI bacteria. This is generally the case when there is an underlying disease or a complicated UTI. This may be caused by old age, anatomy, pregnancy, weak immune system, cancer, and diabetes. An infection history, such as a kidney infection or any other infection, urological problems, etc., might also be to blame. A CT scan may be recommended in this case by your healthcare provider. Additionally, a CT scan can also be used to detect the reason for the resistance in the urinary tract in addition to a UTI urine and culture test. [