UTI | Arizona Infectious Disease

If your urine is pinkish or cloudy and has a strong odor, it’s likely that you have a urinary tract infection (UTI) and need attentive care at Arizona Infectious Disease. We treat men and women who suffer from UTIs and other infectious diseases. Call the office to schedule an appointment or book online now.

Urinary Tract Infection Q & A

What is a UTI?

A UTI is an infection in your urinary tract, which includes your urethra, ureters, bladder, and kidneys. It occurs when bacteria gets into the urinary tract via the urethra, the thin tube that transports urine from the bladder. There are three main types of UTIs:

Urethritis: inflammation of the urethra
Cystitis: inflammation of the bladder
Pyelonephritis: inflammation of the kidneys

Cystitis is the most common UTI. Women get UTIs more frequently than men.

What are the symptoms of a UTI?

Signs that you have a UTI include:

Increased need to urinate
Foul-smelling urine
Cloudy or pink urine
Low back pain
Burning while urinating
Mild incontinence

You may also experience fever and chills. If your fever persists or gets too high, it may mean that the infection has travelled to your kidneys. In that case, you should call Dr. Dalal right away at Arizona Infectious Disease.

What causes a UTI?

Bacteria that naturally live around the colon and rectum can make their way to the urinary tract. There are several ways bacteria can access the urinary tract and cause a UTI:

Sexual intercourse
Catheterization
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
Wiping the wrong way, from back to front
Not drinking enough water
Holding your urine too long

Hormonal changes, such as those during pregnancy or menopause, are also a common cause for the development of a UTI.

Who is at risk for developing a UTI?

Men and women are more susceptible to UTIs if they:

Have diabetes
Use specific types of birth control
Suffer from kidney stones
Are pregnant
Going through menopause
Have a compromised immune system

In addition, men with enlarged prostates are more prone to UTIs.

How are UTIs treated?

After a comprehensive examination and a review of your health history, we will write a custom treatment plan. He typically recommends a course of antibiotics to kill the bacteria and infection. Even when you begin to feel better and your symptoms decrease, it’s important to complete the full length of your prescription to keep the UTI from recurring.