A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of your urinary system, which includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. UTIs are very common, especially in women, and can cause discomfort and pain. If left untreated, they can lead to more serious kidney infections.
UTIs are bacterial infections of the urinary tract, most commonly caused by Escherichia coli. They can range from uncomplicated cystitis to complicated infections involving the upper urinary tract (pyelonephritis) or presenting in specific populations like pregnant women or immunocompromised individuals.
| Condition | Distinguishing Feature |
|---|---|
| Urethritis | Often presents with dysuria but may have less frequency/urgency and can be sexually transmitted (e.g., gonorrhea, chlamydia). |
| Vaginitis/Vulvitis | External burning and irritation, often with vaginal discharge; dysuria may be due to urine contamination of inflamed external genitalia. |
| Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome | Chronic pelvic pain and urinary symptoms without evidence of infection; often a diagnosis of exclusion. |
| Kidney Stones | Can cause flank pain, hematuria, and sometimes urinary symptoms, but often presents with colicky pain and may have no signs of infection. |
| Prostatitis (in men) | Can mimic UTI symptoms with dysuria, frequency, urgency, and pelvic pain, but may also involve fever, chills, and pain with ejaculation. |
| Appendicitis | Right lower quadrant abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever; can sometimes cause referred pain or irritation to the bladder causing urinary symptoms. |
Management of UTIs involves appropriate antibiotic therapy tailored to the suspected or confirmed pathogen and local resistance patterns. Uncomplicated cystitis can often be treated with short courses of oral antibiotics, while pyelonephritis may require longer courses, intravenous antibiotics, or hospitalization.