March 17, 2025

UTIs: What You Need to Know to Stay Healthy

A Guide to Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common, especially as we age. In fact, UTIs are the second most common type of infection in the body ¹.

They can cause discomfort and, if untreated, lead to more serious health conditions.

This simple guide will help you recognize symptoms, understand causes, and learn how to prevent UTIs.

 

What is a UTI?

A urinary tract infection is an infection in the urinary system, which includes the bladder, kidneys, and the tubes that carry urine. UTIs are caused by bacteria or other pathogens entering the urinary tract.

 

Symptoms of a UTI

People of any age or sex can get UTIs, but almost four times as many women get UTIs as men. You’re also at higher risk if you have diabetes, need a tube to drain your bladder, or have a spinal cord injury.
Symptoms of a UTI can include ¹:

  • A strong, frequent urge to urinate
  • Pain or burning when urinating
  • Cloudy, dark, or foul-smelling urine
  • Feeling tired or weak
  • Fever or chills
  • Confusion or dizziness (more common in older adults)

If a UTI remains untreated, it can result in more serious health conditions. Possible complications include:

  • Kidney infections
  • Sepsis
  • Recurrent UTIs

 

How is a UTI Diagnosed?

A urine test, or urinalysis, is the most common way to detect a UTI. A urinalysis involves checking the urine for:

  • Its color
  • Its appearance (whether it is clear or cloudy)
  • Any odor
  • The pH level (acidity)
  • Whether there are substances that are not normally in urine, such as blood, too much protein, glucose, ketones, and bilirubin
  • Whether there are cells, crystals, and casts (tube-shaped proteins)
  • Whether it contains bacteria or other germs

Sometimes, a urine culture is done to find the best treatment. This can identify the type of bacteria causing the infection.

 

Preventing UTIs

You can take simple steps to help prevent UTIs.

  • Drink plenty of water
  • Empty your bladder fully and often
  • Wipe from front to back after using the bathroom
  • Avoid holding in urine for too long
  • Keep the genital area clean
  • Ask your doctor about other ways to prevent UTIs if you get them often

 

Choose HNL Lab Medicine

This simple guide can help you stay informed and take steps to prevent and manage UTIs. Discuss any symptoms or concerns with your healthcare provider and remember to complete any lab work at one of our convenient Patient Service Centers.

 

REFERENCE
¹ National Library of Medicine. (2016, August 08). Urinary tract infections. National Institutes of Health. https://medlineplus.gov/urinarytractinfections.html.