Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, can be uncomfortable or even painful.
Ronnie Bonifacio, Pharmacy Manager at North Central Co-op in Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., shared some information with us about UTI prevention and what you should do if you suspect you have an infection.
What is a urinary tract infection?
A UTI is an infection in any part of the urinary system. This would include the whole tract from the kidneys, ureters and urinary bladder down to the urethra.
Urinary tract infections typically occur when a bacterium, fungus or virus enters the urinary tract through the urethra and begins to multiply in the bladder. The majority of UTIs are due to bacterial infections.
Some UTIs are caused by bacteria from sexually transmitted infections, and some can travel to one or both of the kidneys – a serious condition which requires medical intervention.
Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than men. This is because of women’s anatomy – specifically the short distance from the urethra to the anus and the urethral opening to the bladder.
What are the symptoms of a UTI?
Bonifacio explained that UTIs don't always cause signs and symptoms. When they do, they may include the following:
- A strong, persistent urge to urinate
- A burning sensation when urinating
- Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
- Urine that appears cloudy
- Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-coloured — a sign of blood in the urine
- Strong-smelling urine
- Pelvic pain in women, especially in the centre of the pelvis and around the pubic bone
How is a UTI diagnosed and treated?
Depending on the severity of the signs and symptoms, UTIs can be diagnosed through urinalysis, CT or MRI scans, or cystoscopy – a scope to see inside the bladder.
Antibiotics or antifungal medications are usually the first line treatment for urinary tract infections. Bonifacio noted that dose frequency and duration is based on your age, type of UTI and severity of symptoms.
How can UTIs be prevented?
Bonifacio told us that there are a number of ways to prevent UTIs:
- Drink plenty of water to flush bacteria from the urinary tract before an infection can begin.
- After a bowel movement, wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria in the anal region from spreading to the vagina and urethra.
- Avoid irritating feminine products such as douches and powders.
- Ask your physician or pharmacist about alternative birth control methods to diaphragms and unlubricated or spermicide-treated condoms, which can all contribute to bacterial growth.
How can my pharmacist help UTI management?
Pharmacists can be a valuable resource in the management of UTIs.
They can assess if you actually have a clinical UTI based on your signs and symptoms and if you need a referral to a physician. In some jurisdictions, uncomplicated UTIs can be managed by your pharmacist through an appropriate course of anti-infective medications.
Once you’ve been prescribed treatment, your pharmacist will follow up to assess how the treatment went and talk about what further actions you need to take including preventative measures for future reference.
As a reliable and accessible member of your overall health-care team, your local pharmacist is a valuable resource in the treatment and prevention of UTIs.