A UTI is an infection of the urinary tract; most commonly caused by bacteria that are normally found in the digestive tract called Escherichia coli (E. coli) that mistakenly finds its way into the bladder or urethra.
Up to 70% of women will experience a UTI in their lifetime, of this group up to 30% will suffer recurrent UTIs. However, only 5% of men will experience a UTI in their lifetime.
UTIs are more common in women than men. This may be partly due to differences in anatomy; the female urethra is very short (around 4 cm), so bacteria can more easily make their way into the urinary tract.
UTI is a blanket term for an infection that occurs anywhere in the urinary tract.
The urinary tract consists of the kidneys (which filter blood to produce urine), the tubes that connect the kidney to the bladder (ureter), the bladder and the tube that leads from the bladder to outside the body (urethra). UTIs can occur in the bladder, urethra or kidneys.Depending on where the infection occurs, there are more specific terms.
Cystitis is the most common UTI and occurs when bacteria travel up the urethra, and cause inflammation of the bladder lining. While cystitis may be painful and inconvenient,the good news is it isn’t contagious (e.g. during sexual intercourse) and it can be simple to treat when addressed early. Treatment should be initiated as soon as possible to stop the infection from spreading further up the urinary tract.
Urethritis generally occurs when a bacterial infection causes inflammation of the urethra and typically causes irritation and pain while urinating.
Most UTIs affect the lower urinary tract (i.e. bladder and urethra). Pyelonephritis occurs when an existing infection travels up past the bladder and affects the ureter or kidney. Pyelonephritis can potentially spread to the blood stream causing severe illness, and prompt medical attention is required.
Hiprex is not suitable for use by people with Pyelonephritis.
It is important to seek medical attention if a urinary tract infection is suspected. Early treatment of UTI may help prevent the infection spreading further up the urinary tract
If you have a UTI, you may experience some of these common signs and symptoms.
UTIs can be serious if infection spreads to the upper urinary tract, if you experience any of the following signs and symptoms, please speak to your Healthcare Professional for medical advice.
There are different treatments available for UTIs that work in different ways or at different stages. It’s important to understand the place for each.
While taking treatments for a UTI, remember to drink plenty of water and empty your bladder fully each time you go to the toilet.
Antibiotics
The standard treatment your doctor may prescribe when you see them about a UTI is a course of antibiotics. These are generally quite effective in treating the cause of a UTI by killing the bacteria that are causing your symptoms.
Urinary alkalinisers
These treatments are used only to relieve the painful symptoms of a UTI. They work by raising the pH (making it more alkaline), thereby making urine more comfortable to pass. They will not treat the underlying cause of a UTI or prevent recurrent UTIs.
While taking treatments for a UTI, remember to drink plenty of water and empty your bladder fully each time you go to the toilet.
Antibiotics
If you experience recurrent UTIs, your doctor may consider antibiotics to help prevent the next UTI. However, they may consider other options as frequent use of antibiotics has the potential to make bacteria resistant, so alternatives for preventing recurrent UTIs are becoming important.
Cranberry and natural remedies
The current clinical trial evidence states that the use of cranberry-containing products for the prevention of UTIs are ineffective.
Antibacterials
Hiprex is an antibacterial that is used to eliminate and suppress urinary tract bacteria, providing protection from recurrent UTIs. It helps create an environment that prevents the growth of bacteria in the urinary tract. Hiprex should be started after successful treatment of a UTI.
The following may help to reduce the risk of UTIs.
See your Healthcare Professional if symptoms persist