An unnaturally stronger and more frequent urge to urinate along with pain or burning sensation when urinating. Urine may also appear to be cloudy, bloody or unusually strong smelling. It is not common in males, except when there are underlying causes related to phimosis, bladder outlet obstruction e.g. urethral stricture, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or urinary stone disease. But it is more common in females due to shorter urethra especially in sexual active female and older female who already menopaused.

 

Signs and Symptoms

• dysuria with frequency

• difficulty in passing urine

• haematuria (blood in urine)

• Accompanied with fever, chills and rigor when the upper tract is involved.

 

The complications of recurrent urinary tract infection include sepsis, affecting the upper urinary tract.

 

Urine culture will show common causative organisms like E.coli or klebsiella.

 

Treatment

The treatment depends on the underlying causes be removed like doing circumcision, relieving bladder outlet obstruction and through the removal of urinary stone.

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Prevention

Thus, urinary tract infection (UTI) can be prevented and avoided by:

• Treating the primary UTI properly with appropriate antibiotics (if recurrent UTI)

• Treating the underlying causes properly, especially when there are symptoms/signs manifesting

• Maintaining personal cleanliness after passing urine and after sex

• Not holding on in urine

• Encourage to drink adequate water / cranberry juice

• Have enough time to void urine and not rush in and out

• Not to have full bladder when having sex. Prefer to clear urine before and after sex.

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Disclaimer: This is not a guide to self-diagnose. We encourage to seek urologist advice further.