The bladder also contracts less strongly than it once did, making it more difficult to empty it completely. In both premenopausal and postmenopausal women, genes play a role as well. Having a mother or sister who has frequent UTIs is also a risk factor. However, bacteria may become resistant to an antibiotic over time and it may not be effective in treating subsequent infections.
Gupta says. There are several options if you have a prescription on hand:. If you have recurrent UTIs, talk to your clinician. The two of you can come up with a plan that is likely to be effective for you. These suggestions are directed at flushing the bladder and keeping E. Although studies have failed to show that they prevent either primary or recurrent UTIs, there's no harm in trying them, Dr. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.
Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Thanks for visiting.
Don't miss your FREE gift. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more. Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Recent Blog Articles. In the female population overall, more serious infections such as pyelonephritis are less frequent but are associated with a significant burden of care due to the risk of hospitalization.
Large global surveys indicate that the nature of pathogens varies between the community and hospital setting. In addition, the pathogens responsible for HAUTIs vary according to region making adequate local data key to infection control. UTIs create a significant societal and personal burden, with a substantial number of medical visits in the United States every year being related to UTIs.
European data indicate that recurrent infections are related to increased absenteeism and physician visits. In addition, quality of life measures are significantly impacted in women suffering from recurrent UTIs. Data suggest that nonantimicrobial prophylactic strategies offer an opportunity to reduce both the rate of UTIs and the personal burden experience by patients.
Understanding the different classifications of UTIs is essential when considering their epidemiology. Broadly, UTIs are classified based on their location in the urinary tract, the presence of relevant complicating factors, and the presence or absence of symptoms.
Definitions of some of the major categories of UTIs, based on the most recent German guidelines, are summarized in Table 1.
Key classifications of UTIs. Most UTIs in noncatheterized older adults are caused by a single bacterial species. However, in the presence of structural abnormalities and catheterization, it is not unusual to isolate more than one species in the urine culture. The increased use of catheters and instrumentation in these patients predisposes them to UTIs caused by Gram-negative rods such as Proteus, Klebsiella, Serratia , and Pseudomonas.
In patients with diabetes mellitus, infections caused by Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Candida are more common. The frequency of uncomplicated cystitis in young sexually active women in the US is approximately 0.
The peak rate of uncomplicated UTIs occurs during the years of maximum sexual activity, usually between the ages of 18 and Uncomplicated recurrent UTIs are also frequent in young women. There are an estimated , cases of pyelonephritis annually in the US, with a higher frequency among females.
Cultural and genetic factors may influence prevalence e. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli E. Enterococcus spp. Epidemiology of infectious agents in uncomplicated and complicated UTI. Infectious complications following urological procedures are a major issue, particularly in the context of increasing antimicrobial resistance. Between and , 19, patients were assessed, 9. The dominant pathogen in all conditions was UPEC Overall, regional data for Latin America are currently lacking.
In a Colombian study including pregnant women, ABU was found in Klebsiella pneumoniae K. The burden of recurrent UTIs has both personal and societal aspects. The societal burden includes the clinical and economic burden of the illness, and the personal burden includes social and psychological effects which have a negative impact on quality of life QoL.
The high prevalence of recurrent UTIs represents a modifiable determinant for both societal and personal burdens, hence the importance of disease prophylaxis. They are associated with a significant burden of morbidity and mortality in the elderly, among whom UTIs are most prevalent. Recurrent UTIs are associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression. The sudden, rapid, and painful onset of a UTI is often a source of anxiety in patients.
Taking cystitis sachets or cranberry products has not been shown to help ease symptoms of UTIs. Some pharmacies offer a UTI management service and can prescribe antibiotics if they're needed. 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.
Things that increase the risk of bacteria getting into the bladder include:. There is some evidence that women under 65 years old who keep getting UTIs may find it helpful to take:. Be aware that D-mannose and cranberry products can contain a lot of sugar. Page last reviewed: 18 November Next review due: 18 November
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