There are many possibilities to catch an infection, but most exposed are people that use catheters or tubes placed in the urinary system, more exactly in the urethra and bladder. That's why the catheter should be removed as quickly as possible and should be kept clean.



Also exposed to the infection are the diabetics because of the weakness of their immune system, but not only them. Children born with urinary problems are also exposed just like the women that use diaphragm. All studies show us that urinary tract infections are seen, in most of the cases at women. The reason is not known but specialists share with us a possible explanation. They are telling us that because of the size of a woman's urethra is a lot easier for bacteria to get to the bladder.

A small percentage of pregnant women develop UTI. Specialists believe that in these cases is a lot easier for the bacteria to travel to the kidneys because of the changes of position for the urinary tract, and that's why they ask for periodic testing.

Burning and painful feelings when urinating are the symptoms of UTI, along with pain of the urethra and bladder. A small quantity of urine is being eliminated each time, despite the urge to urinate. The look of urine is rather strange, its color being unclear or sometimes reddish if blood is present. Fever is a symptom specific for kidneys infection, just like back pain or vomiting.

In children cases symptoms are different. The child is being moody, with fever and lack of appetite. For children a special care is necessary from the specialist.

After a laboratory test of urine, doctors can tell the diagnosis. The urine is examined for bacteria, which are grown later and tested against many kinds of treatments to finally decide for a proper one that can surely help. If this treatment does not help and the infection is not lost extra tests like intravenous pyelogram or cystoscopy are necessary. The first one shows x-ray images with the bladder, kidneys and uterus. The film can spot even the smallest changes of the tract. Cystoscopy is a procedure that helps the doctor to see inside the bladder from the urethra with the help of the cystoscope. The cystoscope is a medical instrument made of a thin tube with several lenses and a light source.