Urinary Tract Infection Q & A
How do men get urinary tract infections?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when microbes, most commonly bacteria, infect the urinary tract, which includes the bladder and urethra. UTIs are far more common in women than men, with men accounting for only about 20% of diagnosed cases, and they’re extremely rare in young men.
Men and women over 50 are at an increased risk for UTIs. As we age, we become more prone to health issues that make it harder to flush out bacteria when urinating.
Often, older men get UTIs because they have enlarged prostates, which can trap bacteria in the bladder. Men who are uncircumcised or who have diabetes are also at greater risk of contracting a UTI.
Older women also are at higher risk of developing recurrent UTIs, particularly after menopause when most women developed dryness in the vagina (atrophic vaginitis).
What are the symptoms of a UTI?
UTI symptoms come on suddenly and include:
Painful, burning sensations while urinating
Constant or sudden urges to urinate
Blood in urine
Lower abdomen pain
A UTI may also reflect other health issues that are trapping bacteria in the urinary tract. When untreated, the infection can spread to the kidneys or upper urinary tract. If your infection spreads to your kidneys or upper urinary tract, you may experience more serious symptoms, such as:
Fever
Chills
Nausea and vomiting
Back pain
If you’re experiencing symptoms of a UTI, it’s important to get treatment as soon as possible, both to prevent the infection from spreading and to diagnose any underlying conditions.
How are UTIs treated?
At Urology Group of Florida, your doctor discusses your symptoms, performs a urinalysis, and diagnoses any underlying conditions that may have contributed to your UTI.
If you have a UTI, your doctor prescribes antibiotics, which you’ll need to take for the full course of treatment (14 days) in order to kill all the bacteria, though your symptoms should start to improve after two or three days. Your doctor will also help develop a treatment strategy to address any related health concerns.
