What You Need to Know About UTIs and How an Online Doctor Can Help

1. What You Need to Know About UTIs and How an Online Doctor Can Help Causes of UTIs A urinary tract infection is most often caused by bacteria, but may also be caused by fungal growth. In very rare cases, it might be caused by a virus. Because women naturally have a shorter urethra than men, the bacteria have a shorter distance to travel to reach the bladder, which is why women are more at risk than men. Sexually active women are also at a higher risk as friction may cause bacteria to be transferred to the urethral opening. Other risk factors include certain types of birth control such as diaphragms and spermicidal agents. Types of UTIs There are three types of UTIs depending upon the area of the body that gets infected and are divided into two main categories: lower tract UTI and upper tract UTI. Lower Tract UTI: Cystitis: A lower tract UTI that affects your bladder is called cystitis and is most often caused by bacteria called Escherichia coli or E.coli. Urethritis: As the name suggests, this type of UTI affects the urethra and occurs when gastrointestinal bacteria normally found around the anus find their way into your urethra. Upper Tract UTI: Pyelonephritis: This type of UTI affects the kidneys and is typically more serious than lower tract UTIs. Symptoms of UTIs: Lower Tract UTI: Some common symptoms of a lower tract UTI include: Needing to urinate very frequently, but when you try to urinate, only a few drops come out Pain or a burning feeling when trying to urinate Incontinence (leaking urine before you can make it to the toilet) Foul-smelling, cloudy, bloody or darker than normal urine Constantly feeling like you need to urinate, even after relieving yourself Pelvic pain. Upper Tract UTI: R www.primemedic.com.au Call - 1300090252