Wei Laboratories, Inc.
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What are Urinary Track Infections?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that affects any part of the urinary tract. When bacteria get into the
bladder or kidney and multiply in the urine, they may cause a UTI.
The most common type of UTI is acute cystitis often referred to as a bladder infection. An infection of the upper urinary
tract or kidney is known as pyelonephritis, and is potentially more serious. Although they cause discomfort, urinary tract
infections can usually be easily treated with a short course of antibiotics.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of a bladder infection are:
• burning with urination
• frequency of urination
• An urge to urinate, without vaginal discharge or significant pain.
• flank pain
• fever
In young children, urinary tract infection symptoms may include:
• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• vomiting
• fever
• excessive crying that cannot be resolved by typical measures
Older children on the other hand may experience
• abdominal pain
• incontinence
Lower urinary tract infections in adults may manifest with symptoms including
• hematuria (blood in the urine)
• inability to urinate despite the urge
• Malaise.
• foul smelling urine
• urine that appears cloudy
In newborns the condition may cause:
• jaundice
• hypothermia
In the elderly
• may include lethargy
• a change in the mental status
Causes
Normally, urine is sterile. It is usually free of bacteria, viruses, and fungi but does contain fluids, salts, and waste
products. An infection occurs when tiny organisms, usually bacteria from the digestive tract, cling to the opening of the
urethra and begin to multiply. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body. Most
infections arise from a type of bacteria which normally lives in the colon.
In many cases, bacteria first travel to the urethra. When bacteria multiply, an infection can occur. An infection limited to
the urethra is called urethritis. If bacteria move to the bladder and multiply, a bladder infection, called cystitis, results. If
the infection is not treated promptly, bacteria may then travel further up the ureters to multiply and infect the kidneys. A
kidney infection is called pyelonephritis.
Microorganisms called Chlamydia and Mycoplasma may also cause UTIs in both men and women, but these
infections tend to remain limited to the urethra and reproductive system. Unlike E. coli, Chlamydia and Mycoplasma
may be sexually transmitted, and infections require treatment of both partners.
The urinary system is structured in a way that helps ward off infection. The ureters and bladder normally prevent urine
from backing up toward the kidneys, and the flow of urine from the bladder helps wash bacteria out of the body. In men,
the prostate gland produces secretions that slow bacterial growth. In both sexes, immune defenses also prevent
infection. But despite these safeguards, infections still occur.
Western Medicine Treatment
Uncomplicated UTIs can be diagnosed and treated based on symptoms alone. Oral antibiotics such as trimethoprim,
cephalosporins, nitrofurantoin, or a fluoroquinolone such as ciprofloxacin substantially shorten the time to recovery.
About 50% of people will recover without treatment within a few days or weeks. The Infectious Diseases Society of
America recommends a combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole as a first line agent in uncomplicated UTIs
rather than fluoroquinolones. Resistance has developed in the community to all of these medications due to their
widespread use.
A three-day treatment with trimethoprim, TMP/SMX, or a fluoroquinolone is usually sufficient while nitrofurantoin
requires 7 days. Trimethoprim is often recommended to be taken at night to ensure maximal urinary concentrations to
increase its effectiveness. While trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was previously internationally used (and continues to
be used in the U.S. and Canada); the addition of the sulfonamide gives little additional benefit compared to the
trimethoprim component alone. It is responsible however for a high incidence of mild allergic reactions and rare but
potentially serious complications. For simple UTIs children often respond well to a three-day course of antibiotics.
Pyelonephritis is treated more aggressively than a simple bladder infection using either a longer course of oral
antibiotics or intravenous antibiotics. Regimens vary, and include SMX/TMP and fluorquinolones. In the past, they have
included aminoglycosides (such as gentamicin) used in combination with a beta-lactam, such as ampicillin or
ceftriaxone. These are continued for 48 hours after fever subsides.
If there is a poor response to IV antibiotics (marked by persistent fever, worsening renal function), then imaging is
indicated to rule out formation of an abscess either within or around the kidney, or the presence of an obstructing lesion
such as a stone or tumor.
Women with recurrent simple UTIs may benefit from self-treatment upon occurrence of symptoms with medical follow
up only if the initial treatment fails. Effective treatment can also be delivered over the phone.
Alternative Medicine
There is a significant progress using alternative medicine in this area.
If you want a referral of an expert alternative medicine practitioner in your
local area, please use our free referral service by calling our toll-free at
1-888-919-1188, or e-mail us to wei@weilab.com, or click the button
at the right to have us contact you.
Information gathered from the Mayo Clinic
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that affects any part of the urinary tract. When bacteria get into the
bladder or kidney and multiply in the urine, they may cause a UTI.
The most common type of UTI is acute cystitis often referred to as a bladder infection. An infection of the upper urinary
tract or kidney is known as pyelonephritis, and is potentially more serious. Although they cause discomfort, urinary tract
infections can usually be easily treated with a short course of antibiotics.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of a bladder infection are:
• burning with urination
• frequency of urination
• An urge to urinate, without vaginal discharge or significant pain.
• flank pain
• fever
In young children, urinary tract infection symptoms may include:
• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• vomiting
• fever
• excessive crying that cannot be resolved by typical measures
Older children on the other hand may experience
• abdominal pain
• incontinence
Lower urinary tract infections in adults may manifest with symptoms including
• hematuria (blood in the urine)
• inability to urinate despite the urge
• Malaise.
• foul smelling urine
• urine that appears cloudy
In newborns the condition may cause:
• jaundice
• hypothermia
In the elderly
• may include lethargy
• a change in the mental status
Causes
Normally, urine is sterile. It is usually free of bacteria, viruses, and fungi but does contain fluids, salts, and waste
products. An infection occurs when tiny organisms, usually bacteria from the digestive tract, cling to the opening of the
urethra and begin to multiply. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body. Most
infections arise from a type of bacteria which normally lives in the colon.
In many cases, bacteria first travel to the urethra. When bacteria multiply, an infection can occur. An infection limited to
the urethra is called urethritis. If bacteria move to the bladder and multiply, a bladder infection, called cystitis, results. If
the infection is not treated promptly, bacteria may then travel further up the ureters to multiply and infect the kidneys. A
kidney infection is called pyelonephritis.
Microorganisms called Chlamydia and Mycoplasma may also cause UTIs in both men and women, but these
infections tend to remain limited to the urethra and reproductive system. Unlike E. coli, Chlamydia and Mycoplasma
may be sexually transmitted, and infections require treatment of both partners.
The urinary system is structured in a way that helps ward off infection. The ureters and bladder normally prevent urine
from backing up toward the kidneys, and the flow of urine from the bladder helps wash bacteria out of the body. In men,
the prostate gland produces secretions that slow bacterial growth. In both sexes, immune defenses also prevent
infection. But despite these safeguards, infections still occur.
Western Medicine Treatment
Uncomplicated UTIs can be diagnosed and treated based on symptoms alone. Oral antibiotics such as trimethoprim,
cephalosporins, nitrofurantoin, or a fluoroquinolone such as ciprofloxacin substantially shorten the time to recovery.
About 50% of people will recover without treatment within a few days or weeks. The Infectious Diseases Society of
America recommends a combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole as a first line agent in uncomplicated UTIs
rather than fluoroquinolones. Resistance has developed in the community to all of these medications due to their
widespread use.
A three-day treatment with trimethoprim, TMP/SMX, or a fluoroquinolone is usually sufficient while nitrofurantoin
requires 7 days. Trimethoprim is often recommended to be taken at night to ensure maximal urinary concentrations to
increase its effectiveness. While trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was previously internationally used (and continues to
be used in the U.S. and Canada); the addition of the sulfonamide gives little additional benefit compared to the
trimethoprim component alone. It is responsible however for a high incidence of mild allergic reactions and rare but
potentially serious complications. For simple UTIs children often respond well to a three-day course of antibiotics.
Pyelonephritis is treated more aggressively than a simple bladder infection using either a longer course of oral
antibiotics or intravenous antibiotics. Regimens vary, and include SMX/TMP and fluorquinolones. In the past, they have
included aminoglycosides (such as gentamicin) used in combination with a beta-lactam, such as ampicillin or
ceftriaxone. These are continued for 48 hours after fever subsides.
If there is a poor response to IV antibiotics (marked by persistent fever, worsening renal function), then imaging is
indicated to rule out formation of an abscess either within or around the kidney, or the presence of an obstructing lesion
such as a stone or tumor.
Women with recurrent simple UTIs may benefit from self-treatment upon occurrence of symptoms with medical follow
up only if the initial treatment fails. Effective treatment can also be delivered over the phone.
Alternative Medicine
There is a significant progress using alternative medicine in this area.
If you want a referral of an expert alternative medicine practitioner in your
local area, please use our free referral service by calling our toll-free at
1-888-919-1188, or e-mail us to wei@weilab.com, or click the button
at the right to have us contact you.
Information gathered from the Mayo Clinic
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