It starts as a niggle and quickly becomes impossible to ignore. A stinging burn every time you pass urine, the constant feeling that you need to go again the moment you have finished, and only a few painful drops when you do.
A urinary tract infection is one of the most common reasons people come to see us, and while it is usually straightforward to treat, it is not something to simply endure and hope it passes.
What a UTI actually is
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection anywhere in the system that makes and carries urine. That system includes the kidneys, which produce urine, the bladder, which stores it, and the urethra, the tube that carries it out of the body.
Most infections are caused by bacteria that normally live in the bowel getting into the urethra and travelling up into the bladder. An infection limited to the bladder is the common, milder kind. An infection that reaches a kidney is the more serious kind.
The symptoms to recognise
A bladder infection has a fairly typical picture: a burning or stinging feeling when passing urine, needing to go far more often than usual, a strong and sudden urge, passing only small amounts, and urine that looks cloudy, smells strong, or has a trace of blood. Some people feel a dull ache low in the abdomen.
In older adults a UTI can show up differently, sometimes as new confusion or feeling generally unwell rather than the classic burning, which is worth knowing if you care for an elderly relative.
Why women get them more often
UTIs are far more common in women, and there is a simple anatomical reason. The female urethra is shorter and sits closer to the bowel, so bacteria have a shorter journey into the bladder.
Other things raise the risk in anyone: not drinking enough, which matters in our climate, holding urine for long periods, pregnancy, diabetes, and in men an enlarged prostate that stops the bladder emptying fully. A UTI in a man is less common and is usually worth a closer look.
How it is diagnosed and treated
Diagnosis is quick. A urine sample is tested, and where needed it is sent to the laboratory to identify the exact bacteria and confirm which treatment will work. Our laboratory is on site, so this does not mean a trip elsewhere.
The treatment for a bacterial UTI is a course of antibiotics, medicines that kill bacteria. Most people feel better within a day or two of starting them. It is important to finish the full course even once you feel well, so the infection is fully cleared and does not bounce back. Drinking plenty of water and simple pain relief help while the antibiotics take effect.
When a UTI becomes an emergency
The danger is an infection climbing from the bladder to a kidney, called pyelonephritis. This is a serious infection that can spread to the bloodstream if not treated promptly, and it needs medical care without delay.
When infections keep coming back
Some people get UTIs again and again. If that is you, it is worth a proper assessment rather than repeated short courses of antibiotics. Recurrent infections can point to an underlying reason, such as a bladder that does not empty fully or, in men, a prostate problem.
To look into this, ultrasound and CT scanning are available on site to examine the urinary tract, and a doctor can advise on prevention and refer you to a specialist if needed.
Reducing your chances
A few habits genuinely help. Drink enough water through the day so your urine stays pale. Do not hold on for long stretches when you need to go. Women can wipe from front to back, and passing urine after sex can help flush bacteria away. Treating constipation and, in those with diabetes, keeping blood sugar well controlled both reduce the risk.
What to do next
If you have the burning and urgency of a bladder infection, book a consultation and get your urine tested so treatment can start quickly. Do not share leftover antibiotics or guess, because the wrong choice can leave the infection to grow.
If you have fever, back pain or vomiting alongside those symptoms, do not wait for an appointment. Come to our Accident and Emergency department, because that combination means the infection may have reached your kidneys.
Burning when you pass urine? Get seen and treated at Newtown.
Our doctors can assess you and our laboratory can test your urine on site at 55 Woodford Street, Port of Spain, so treatment can usually start the same day. Ultrasound and CT scanning are available here if repeated infections need further investigation. Our Accident and Emergency department is open 24 hours, so come in at once for fever with back pain, vomiting, or if you cannot pass urine.
This article is for general education only and is not a substitute for personal medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your own health. If you believe you have a medical emergency, call or visit our 24-hour Accident and Emergency department immediately.