How do you get a urinary tract infection

A urinary tract infection (or uti as it is more commonly referred to) is an infection, of one or more parts, of the urinary tract. A uti usually has mild symptoms unless the infection is severe or has entered the kidneys, which can cause the a serious kidney infection. But, how do you get a urinary tract infection to begin with? This article will answer this question and discuss the common symptoms for uti.

How do you get a urinary tract infection

The urine contains the bodies waste products, but it is not usually home to bacteria. The main bacteria that is responsible for uti is E Coli (Escherichia coli), which lives harmlessly in the lower intestine. When this bacteria enters the bladder or kidney and begin to multiply they cause a uti. Bacteria can enter these areas of the body in many different ways, but the most common of these is sexual intercourse.

Women are at far greater risk of a uti than men because they have a shorter urethra than men and it is closer to the anus which makes access for the bacteria possible. An ascending uti is common in women as fecal bacteria first multiply in the urethra and then spread up the urinary tract to the bladder and onto the kidneys which causes the more serious kidney infection.

Antibiotics are the main treatment for uti, but natural treatments such as cranberry juice (high in the sugar d-mannose) has also been known to help.

What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?

A mild uti may have no symptoms at all, but as the infection takes control the following symptoms may occur:

Pain or burning sensation while urinating and/or feeling like you need to pass urine more frequently than usual
Passing only small amounts of urine despite your bladder feeling full
Passing urine that is cloudy, bad smelling and/or bloody
Having a temperature
Pain in your lower back below your ribs (this may be a sign of kidney infection and should be treated without delay).