Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

The urinary tract system is comprised of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and the urethra.  Urine is stored in the bladder and passed out through the urethra.  UTIs can affect men and women of all age groups.  Symptoms typically include discomfort or pain when passing urine, increased frequency of passing urine and sometimes an unpleasant odour, however, some people experience no symptoms at all.  In more severe cases there can be blood in the urine.  If there is fever, chills or flank pain, this suggests an upper urinary tract infection usually a kidney infection.  A UTI is diagnosed based on symptoms and confirmation is by a urine culture.  If there are no pus or red cells the diagnosis of infection is questionable.

The information on this website is provided to reinforce any advice you have received from your GP and others involved in your care and is not intended to replace discussions with your doctor.