Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

What is UTI?

This is an infection in the bladder (also known as “cystitis”) which is often caused by bacteria that are commonly found in the bowel or from the skin near the back passage (anus).

There are multiple bacteria that can cause this. It is seen more commonly in women.

• Not an STI.
• Affects both sexes - more in women.
• Causes pain and frequency passing urine.
• Treated with antibiotics.

What are the symptoms?

Men / I have a penis: needing to pee more often, passing small amounts urine, pain when passing urine, needing to go immediately (urgency), noticing blood in urine, pain in lower tummy.

Women / I have a vagina: needing to pee more often, passing small amounts urine, pain when passing urine, needing to go immediately (urgency) , noticing blood in urine, pain in lower tummy.

How is it diagnosed?

A “dipstick” of the urine is taken which may give an indication of a urine infection and you may get treatment on this basis. Sometimes these aren’t available or are not reliable in some patients with certain conditions or when women have their period, so a urine test may be sent to the lab to be cultured before treatment is given.

This is more important in the era of antibiotic resistance – it means the treatment you are given is the right treatment!

What is the treatment?

A course of antibiotics.

We suggest you drink plenty of clear fluids (water, sugar free squash and watered down fruit juices, weak black tea) and take pain killers when and if you need to.

Useful information

For more information on Urinary Tract Infections visit the NHS website.