UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)
A urinary tract infection causes a burning sensation when urinating, frequent urgent urges, and cloudy or strong-smelling urine. It is significantly more common in women — half of all women will have at least one UTI in their lifetime. Most cases are easily treated with a short course of antibiotics, and online consultation makes getting treatment fast and convenient.
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This page provides general health information only. A UTI with high fever, back pain, and rigors may indicate kidney infection — seek urgent medical attention.
What is a UTI?
A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria — usually E. coli from the bowel — enter and multiply in the urinary tract. Lower UTIs (cystitis) affect the bladder. Upper UTIs (pyelonephritis) involve the kidneys, are more serious, and require urgent treatment. Men can also develop UTIs, though they are far less common and often have an underlying structural or prostatic cause worth investigating.
Symptoms
- Burning or stinging sensation when urinating (dysuria)
- Frequent need to urinate, often passing only small amounts
- Urgent need to urinate that is difficult to defer
- Cloudy, dark, or strong-smelling urine
- Lower abdominal discomfort or pelvic pressure
- Blood in the urine (haematuria)
- In upper UTI (kidney infection): high fever, shivering, back or side pain, nausea and vomiting
Fever above 38°C, severe back or flank pain, rigors, nausea, and vomiting alongside urinary symptoms suggest kidney infection (pyelonephritis) — seek urgent medical assessment. This requires more aggressive antibiotic treatment than simple cystitis.
Causes & risk factors
- Female anatomy — the shorter urethra allows bacteria easier access to the bladder
- Sexual activity — mechanical transfer of bacteria; "honeymoon cystitis" is a recognised phenomenon
- Menopause — oestrogen decline reduces vaginal protective bacteria and increases susceptibility
- Urinary catheter use
- Incomplete bladder emptying — from neurological conditions or prostatic obstruction
- Diabetes — elevated glucose in urine promotes bacterial growth
- Dehydration — reduced urine production concentrates bacteria
- Previous UTIs — the strongest predictor of future UTIs
When to see a doctor
See a doctor as soon as UTI symptoms begin — treatment shortens the duration of symptoms, prevents progression to kidney infection, and avoids unnecessary suffering. Seek urgent care if you develop fever, back pain, or feel systemically unwell alongside urinary symptoms.
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Treatment options
- Antibiotics — a 3–7 day course of nitrofurantoin or trimethoprim for uncomplicated cystitis in women
- Pain relief — paracetamol or ibuprofen for dysuria; urinary alkalisers (sodium bicarbonate) can also reduce burning
- Increased fluid intake — helps flush bacteria from the bladder
- Low-dose prophylactic antibiotics — for women with frequent recurrent UTIs (3+ per year)
- Post-coital antibiotics — a single dose after sex, for UTIs triggered by sexual activity
- Vaginal oestrogen — for post-menopausal women; significantly reduces recurrence
- D-mannose supplements — some evidence for prevention of E. coli UTIs
How eMedClinic can help
Our doctors assess UTI symptoms, prescribe appropriate antibiotics, and advise on prevention. For women with recurrent UTIs, we provide longer-term management strategies including prophylactic antibiotics, post-coital prescribing, and vaginal oestrogen where appropriate. Online consultation for UTIs is ideal — fast, private, and you do not have to leave home when in discomfort.
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