Urinary tract infection how does it start

Some pharmacies offer a UTI management service and can prescribe antibiotics if they're needed. The bacteria enter through the tube that carries pee out of the body urethra. Women have a shorter urethra than men. This means bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys and cause an infection. Things that increase the risk of bacteria getting into the bladder include:.

There is some evidence that women under 65 years old who keep getting UTIs may find it helpful to take:. Be aware that D-mannose and cranberry products can contain a lot of sugar. Page last reviewed: 18 November Next review due: 18 November Urinary tract infections UTIs. A UTI can be classified by the area of the urinary tract that it affects:.

Females are particularly at risk of getting a UTI because bacteria can more easily move into their urinary tracts due to the urethra and anus being close together. Other factors that can increase the risk of UTIs include:. The most common symptom of a UTI is a painful, burning sensation when passing urine.

Other symptoms include:. Symptoms in children may be less clear:. If a UTI is suspected it is important to consult a doctor as soon as practicable so that an accurate diagnosis can be made and appropriate treatment given.

Prompt treatment is important to prevent infection of the kidneys and other potential complications such as sepsis from developing. Until a doctor can be consulted, initial treatment measures include:. Medical Library Topics. Home Medical library Urinary tract infection Southern Cross Medical Library The purpose of the Southern Cross Medical Library is to provide information of a general nature to help you better understand certain medical conditions.

Urinary tract infection - causes, symptoms, treatment. The most common symptom of urinary tract infection is a painful, burning sensation when passing urine. Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria entering the urethra and multiplying in the bladder.

They are usually treated successfully with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. Urinary tract infections are quite common, especially among women and children. The most common urinary system condition is urinary reflux. Urinary reflux and the associated infections can scar or permanently damage the kidney, and can also lead to:.

Although not always backed up by clinical research, some women have found some suggestions useful in reducing their risk of developing urinary tract infections, including:. Cranberries usually as cranberry juice have been used to prevent UTIs. Cranberries contain a substance that can prevent the E. However, recent research has shown that cranberry juice does not have a significant benefit in preventing UTIs, and most people are unable to continue drinking the juice on a long-term basis.

Let your doctor know if you are having cranberry juice as it can alter the effectiveness of some antibiotics. It is important to seek medical attention if you think you may have a UTI — particularly if you think you may have a bladder or kidney infection, both of which are very serious conditions.

Early treatment of urinary infection can help to prevent infection spreading to the bladder or kidneys. Your doctor will test your urine to check which micro-organism is present. Urinary tract infections usually respond quickly and well to antibiotics. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:.

Anthrax is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial disease that occasionally infects humans. The Western obsession with cleanliness may be partly responsible for the increase in allergic asthma and conditions such as rhinitis. Careful prescribing of antibiotics will minimise the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. Aspergillus is a fungus that commonly grows on rotting vegetation. It can cause asthma symptoms.

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