Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Patient Information

UTIs are common infections that occur in the bladder, kidneys, or urethra, usually caused by bacteria.

Signs & Symptoms

• Frequent urge to urinate
• Painful or burning sensation while urinating
• Cloudy, dark, or strong-smelling urine
• Lower abdominal pain
• Fever (in severe cases, like kidney infections)

Labs

• Urine dipstick (to check for signs of infection, like blood, leukocytes, or nitrites)
• Urine culture (to identify the specific bacteria and determine the appropriate antibiotics)

Treatments

• Antibiotics
• Pain relievers (e.g., phenazopyridine for symptom relief)
• Increased fluid intake to help flush out the bacteria

Follow-Up

• If symptoms don’t resolve within 48-72 hours after starting antibiotics, further evaluation is needed.
• Women with recurrent UTIs may need to be referred to a urologist.