DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

Back to Globe
Urologic Condition

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

MODERATE

A common bacterial infection affecting any part of the urinary system including kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Most commonly affects the lower urinary tract (bladder and urethra). Women are at greater risk than men. Recurrent UTIs affect 20-30% of women.

Global Affected

150.0M

Countries

111

Symptoms

Strong, persistent urge to urinate
Burning sensation when urinating
Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
Blood in urine (hematuria)
Pelvic pain in women
Rectal pain in men
Upper back/side pain (if kidneys affected)
Fever and chills (if kidneys affected)

Treatment Options

Antibiotic therapy (3-7 days)
Phenazopyridine for pain relief
Increased fluid intake
Cranberry supplements
D-mannose supplements
Vaginal estrogen (postmenopausal women)
Prophylactic antibiotics (recurrent cases)
Methenamine hippurate

Risk Factors

1Female anatomy (shorter urethra)
2Sexual activity
3Menopause
4Urinary tract abnormalities
5Kidney stones
6Diabetes
7Immunosuppression
8Catheter use
9Recent urinary procedure

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1Urinalysis (nitrites, leukocyte esterase)
  • 2Urine culture and sensitivity
  • 3Urine microscopy
  • 4CT scan (complicated cases)
  • 5Cystoscopy (recurrent cases)
  • 6Post-void residual measurement

Prognosis

Excellent with appropriate treatment. Symptoms resolve within 2-3 days of starting antibiotics. Recurrence is common (20-30% of women). Complicated UTIs may require longer treatment. Kidney infections (pyelonephritis) require prompt treatment.

Prevention

  • Drink plenty of water
  • Wipe front to back
  • Empty bladder after intercourse
  • Avoid irritating feminine products
  • Cranberry products
  • Probiotic supplements
  • Vaginal estrogen (postmenopause)

Research Status

Antibiotics are first-line treatment (nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, fosfomycin). Increasing antibiotic resistance is a concern. Cranberry products and D-mannose show modest benefit for prevention. Methenamine hippurate for recurrent UTIs. Vaccines in development.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanChinaIndiaBrazilRussiaSwedenNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaDenmarkNorwayFinlandPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceCYMTLUIcelandNew ZealandSouth KoreaSingaporeTaiwanHong KongMalaysiaThailandVietnamIndonesiaPhilippinesSouth AfricaNigeriaEgyptTurkeyIranSaudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitOmanJordanLebanonSyriaYemenIraqAfghanistanPakistanBangladeshLKNPMMKHLAMNKazakhstanUzbekistanTMKGTJAzerbaijanAMGEUkraineBelarusMDALBAMEMKSerbiaXKMexicoArgentinaChileColombiaPeruVenezuelaEcuadorUYPYBOCRPAGuatemalaHNSVNIBZJMHaitiDominican RepublicCuba

Sources

  • https://www.cdc.gov/uti/index.html
  • https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-infection-uti-in-adults
  • https://www.hematology.org/education/patients
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
  • https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.