Don’t ignore your UTI symptoms! Here are some clear signs that you need immediate medical help for your infection.
If you’ve never had a urinary tract infection before, you should consider yourself lucky, as it’s one of the most troublesome illness you may encounter. According to WebMD, one in two women will have a UTI in her lifetime1, and around 30% to 44%2 of them will contract a second bout of infection within six months. It’s one of the most common illnesses worldwide affecting millions of patients, most of whom are women.
In this gender group, what causes UTI is a combination of four factors: (1) anatomy, (2) bodily processes such as hormonal fluctuations and pregnancy, (3) sexual activities, and (4) lifestyle and health-related habits. And although it’s extremely common, it’s important to get yourself checked by a medical practitioner if you suspect you have a UTI.
You may already be familiar with its common symptoms, including painful and frequent urination, abdominal discomfort, or a smelly and cloudy urine. These symptoms often indicate a cystitis or, in other words, infection of the lower urinary tract. Luckily, this one’s easy to treat. It can go away on its own if you practice some home remedies, or your doctor can prescribe a single-dose antibiotic for UTI, which is a one-pill treatment.
However, other symptoms may indicate that a UTI is in its more advanced stages and is progressing into upper UTI. In this case, you should see your doctor as soon as you can.
Here are some clear signs that you need a physician’s help for your UTI.
1. You’re experiencing nausea, fever, and chills.
If you’re experiencing a lower UTI, also called cystitis or inflammation of the bladder, you’re unlikely to experience nausea, fever, and chills. These three may be a sign that your infection has reached the kidneys. So if any of them coincide with a horde of common UTI symptoms, it’s best to visit your doctor immediately.
2. Your lower back is painful.
Again, this is another indication that one or both of your kidneys (depending on which part of your back hurts) have been infected. Thus, seek medical advice as soon as you can so your physician can recommend ways to effectively manage your UTI.
3. Your symptoms are recurring.
A recurring UTI can be worrisome. It may be due to poor lifestyle, health, or sex-related habits, but it may also be a sign that your previous treatment didn’t work well. There may be bacteria left in your urinary tract, or those bacteria may be resistant against antibiotics.
4. You notice pus or blood in your urine.
Another concerning sign is seeing pus or blood in your urine, which might indicate that you have kidney stones. This may be accompanied by a painful, burning sensation when urinating. When this happens, call your doctor immediately. He or she may conduct an ultrasound for your kid
Footnotes
1. Slideshow: A Visual Guide to Urinary Tract Infections
2. James J. Arnold, DO; Laura E. Hehn, MD; and David A. Klein, MD, MPH: Common Questions About Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Women
