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How are urinary tract infections diagnosed?

Although you will often be given antibiotics based on your symptoms, a urine culture will often be performed to confirm diagnosis of a urinary tract infection. The reason antibiotics are provided before the culture results is that the urine culture results can take a couple of days to arrive, and if a urinary tract infection is suspected, it is better to start treatment early in order to avoid complications. Certain scans and procedures may also be required if an underlying medical condition is thought to be the cause of the infection.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What are urinary tract infections?

A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria or other pathogens cause infection of the urinary system. Most of these infections are caused by E. coli bacteria.

What are the symptoms of urinary tract infections?

The symptoms of urinary tract infections vary according to whether the bladder, kidneys or prostate are affected. When the bladder is infected, symptoms include a strong or foul urine odour, cloudy urine, frequent urination, low fever, …

What causes urinary tract infections?

Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria and sometime fungi. The most common type of bacteria is a type of E. coli, although other bacteria, such as the one that causes chlamydia, can also cause the infection.

How are urinary tract infections treated?

Urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotics, taken for a period ranging anywhere from a day to a week to several weeks, depending on the infection.

Can urinary tract infections be prevented?

It is possible that frequent urination and urinating soon after sex can reduce your risk of urinary tract infections. Contraception other than diaphragms and spermicides are advised for women as these can increase the risk of a urinary tract …

Will urinary tract infections keep returning?

Urinary tract infections can relapse or return if you do not complete your course of antibiotics, or return to them at a later date. Preventative antibiotics are sometimes prescribed to help prevent recurrent infections, but their use is …

Are there different types of urinary tract infections?

Urinary tract infections can be caused by a range of different bacteria, but most commonly are caused by a type of E. coli. Infection of different areas of the urinary system such as the bladder, kidneys and prostate all give rise to …

What is the outcome for urinary tract infections?

With antibiotic treatment, the outcome for most urinary tract infections is good. Symptoms usually go away within a couple of days, although the full course of antibiotics will need to be continued and finished after symptoms have gone, …

Are urinary tract infection serious?

Left untreated, urinary tract infections can be serious. Complications of urinary tract infections include infection of the bloodstream (sepsis), abscess formation in the kidneys and even kidney damage and failure.

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About this article

Author: Jonathan Meddings BMedLabSc (Hons)
First answered: 17 Nov 2014
Last reviewed: 18 May 2018
Rating: 5.0 out of 5
Votes: 292 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Bladder cancer

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