What Is A Urinary Tract Infection, And What Causes It?
A urinary tract infection (or UTI) is a bacterial infection that affects any part of the urinary tract. The most common form of UTI is a bladder infection (also known as cystitis), though many women -- and a few unlucky men -- also suffer from UTI caused by a kidney infection. UTI''''s occur when harmful bacteria such as E-coli find their way into your urinary tract and, finding a hospitable environment there, multiply in your urine. UTI''''s are very common among sexually active women and some men, though sex is by no means the only way to get one. UTI''''s affect millions of people every year and were responsible for over 8.5 million doctors visits in the US in 1997 alone.
Common symptoms of UTI include...
For bladder infections...
Frequent urination...
A strong need to urinate even though little urine actually comes out...
A strong need to urinate during the night...
Achy or stabbing pain in the upper pelvis...
And pus or blood in the urine...
For Kidney Infections... Everything above, plus...
Vomiting...
Back, side and groin pain...
Abdominal pain or pressure...
Shaking, chills and a high spiking fever...
Night sweats...
And extreme fatigue.
If you''''re suffering any of the above symptoms, you most likely have a urinary tract infection.