Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), pronounced as /ˈjʊərɪnəri trækt ɪnˈfɛkʃən/, is a common medical condition that involves an infection in the Urinary system. The term is derived from the Latin words "urina" which means "urine" and "tractus" which means "a course or path", combined with the Latin-derived term "infectio" which means "to infect".
A UTI can occur in any part of the urinary system, which includes the Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder, and Urethra. However, most UTIs are caused by bacteria and affect the lower urinary tract, the bladder and the urethra.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a UTI can vary depending on the part of the urinary tract that is infected. Common symptoms include a strong, persistent urge to urinate, a burning sensation during urination, passing frequent, small amounts of urine, urine that appears cloudy, urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored — a sign of blood in the urine, strong-smelling urine, and pelvic pain in women.
Causes
UTIs are usually caused by bacteria, but they can also be caused by viruses or fungi. The most common cause of UTIs is the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli), which is normally found in the intestines. Other bacteria that can cause UTIs include Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis.
Treatment
Treatment for UTIs typically involves antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection. The type of antibiotic used and the duration of treatment depend on the patient's health condition and the type of bacterium causing the infection.
Prevention
Prevention strategies for UTIs include drinking plenty of liquids, especially water, urinating regularly, and for women, wiping from front to back after a bowel movement to prevent bacteria in the anal region from spreading to the vagina and urethra.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Urinary Tract Infection
- Wikipedia's article - Urinary Tract Infection
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