How do you get UTIs?
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are usually caused by bacteria from poo entering the urinary tract.
Urinary tract
The bacteria enter through the tube that carries pee out of the body (urethra).
Women have a shorter urethra than men. This means bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys and cause an infection.
Hence women get more UTIs than men. Mnay women over 16 years will get at least one UTI per year.
Different types of UTI
There are different types of UTI – related to which part of the urinary tract is infected – and the symptoms are different.
The doctors name for the type of infection, depends on which part of the urinary tract is affected, e.g.
- Kidney = pyelonephritis – causing pain in the back/side of tummy. It is less common but often more serious, and requires hospital admission
- Bladder = cystitis – lower tummy pain at the front, burning when you wee, and weeing more frequently
- Urethra = urethritis – burning when you wee, and weeing more frequently
- Prostate = prostatitis (men only) – pain in genital area.
Note. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract – the bladder (cystitis) and urethra (urethritis). Cystitis is the commonest. For such infections, in adult women of child bearing age, there is not (usually) an underlying cause.
If men or children get a UTI, there is likley to be an underlying structural cause. So both groups shoud be investigated – e.g. a kidney ultrasound and cystoscopy (telescope into the bladder).
Things that increase the risk of bacteria getting into the bladder (and kidneys) – and hence risk of UTIs
- Having sex
- Pregnancy
- Conditions that block the urinary tract – such as kidney or bladder stones
- Conditions that make it difficult to fully empty the bladder – such as an enlarged prostate in men and constipation in children
- Urinary catheter (a tube in your bladder used to drain urine)
- Having a weakened immune system – for example, people with diabetes or people having chemotherapy, or drugs to prevent organ transplant rejection
- Rare conditions you may be born with – e.g. reflux nephropathy (also causes blockages in the urinary tract).
Summary
We have described how people get UTIs. We have also covered different types of UTI, and risk factors. We hope it has been helpful.
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