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Please note: This information was as
current as we could make it on the date given above. But medical information is
always changing, and some information given here may be out of date. For
regularly updated information on a variety of health topics, please visit
familydoctor.org, the AAFP patient
education Web site. |
An article on this topic is available in this
issue of AFP.
Urinary Tract Infections: What You Should Know
What is a urinary tract infection?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bladder infection caused by germs. If you have a UTI, it may hurt to go to the bathroom and you may have to go more than usual. Bladder infections are found most often in young women. Sex can make it easier for germs to get into the bladder. Also, women have a shorter urethra (the tube that drains the bladder) than men, making it easier to get a bladder infection.
How do I know if I have a UTI?
Your doctor can tell if you have a UTI by examining you. You might need special tests to make sure.
What do I do if I have a UTI?
Your doctor can give you medicine to make your infection go away. You should take the medicine until it is gone, even if you start to feel better. You also can get medicines (brand: Prodium), from a store to help make you feel better.
How do I prevent another infection?
There is no way to make sure you do not get another infection, but you should always follow your doctor's directions. Other things that might help are:
- Wiping from front to back when you go to the bathroom
- Drinking a lot of water
- Going to the bathroom right after you have sex
| This handout provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this handout applies to you and to get more information on this subject, talk to your family doctor. Visit familydoctor.org for information on this and many other health-related topics. Copyright © 2005 by the American
Academy of Family Physicians. |
