Urinary tract infection's and You

UTIs and You

'It hurts when I pass urine and I have to go every five minutes.'
These are the classic and rather distressing symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI).
UTIs are caused by bacteria (or germs) entering the urinary system, usually via the urethra (the tube that passes urine from the bladder to outside the body). Fortunately, UTIs usually respond well to simple treatment.

Who is at risk?
One in three women and one in twenty men will get a UTI in their lifetime. Women are more at risk than men because their urethra is shorter, making it easier for bacteria to move up the urethra, enter the bladder and cause an infection.

Men and children rarely get UTIs. If they do develop a UTI, an assessment by a GP is recommended to make sure there is no underlying problem. Frequent UTIs in women also need further assessment. High fever and pain in the back (kidney area) can indicate a kidney infection and this needs urgent medical treatment.

What are some of the symptoms?