10 Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms

By jolene

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A urinary tract infection or UTI is a very common condition where there is infection of the urinary tract. It can affect individuals of all ages and is mostly seen in females as their urethra is much shorter compared to males. The shorter urethra allows pathogens to have a shorter path to the bladder.

It has been estimated that as many as 40 to 60 percent of women have experienced a UTI at one point in their life. It is recommended for women to wipe from the front to the back after going to the bathroom to reduce the risk of a UTI due to the invasion of bacteria from the anal region.

A UTI can become severe when the infection from the urethra spreads upward affecting the bladder and eventually the kidneys. Left untreated, it can cause pyelonephritis. Recurrent UTIs among children may mean that there is a potential malfunction or malformation of the urinary tract. UTIs are usually caused by bacterial infections.

Symptom #1: Dysuria

Dysuria is a term referring to difficult or painful urination. It describes a stinging or burning sensation when one is micturating. In the early stages, the discomfort may only be slight. The discomfort and pain may be due to the damaged urethral lining caused by the bacteria.

This makes it painful once the affected individual starts to pee, like running water over a cut. It is recommended that affected individuals drink plenty of water to try to flush the pathogen out and prevent the infection from worsening. Other causes of dysuria are pyelonephritis, sexually transmitted diseases, prostatitis, and more.