It could be urinary tract infection when you:

• Experience a “burning” pain on passing urine.
• Have the urge to pass urine quickly.
• Pass urine more frequently than normal.
• Pass bloodstained, cloudy urine, or foul-smelling urine.
• Experience lower abdominal or loin pain, with or without fever.

You are heading for UTI if you have/are:

• Sexually active, especially with multiple sexual partners.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Kidney stones.
• Had recent instrumentation of the bladder, eg introducing a rubber catheter into the bladder.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
• Neurogenic voiding disorder.

A sample of urine can confirm UTI.

The following are some diagnostic and treatment options and suggestions for follow-up care:

• Your doctor will screen your urine samples for infection.
• Antibiotics will be prescribed.
• Consume at least two litres of water a day, especially during hot days or - if exercising.
• Take more vitamin C daily.
• Further assessment of the urinary system, by doing a renal ultrasound intravenous pyelogram, diagnostic cystoscopy, urine for tuberculosis and cytology to exclude any bladder growths/tumours.

• Wipe the groin area from front to back to prevent bacteria from spreading from the rectal area to the vagina and ascending to the bladder.
• Avoid potential irritants such as vaginal deodorants, vaginal douching agents and bubble baths.
• Wash the genital area often, especially before and after sexual intercourse. Voiding after intercourse is encouraged.
• Empty your bladder fully to prevent bacteria from multiplying in the bladder.
• Seek treatment for vaginal/ lower genital tract infection to prevent it from spreading. Drink cranberry juice to prevent UTI.

Most UTI s are bladder infections, and normally not serious. However, if untreated, the infection can spread to the kidneys and lead to irreversible renal damage.

Ref: T12