Urinary tract infection - chronic or recurrent
Key points
- This is a disorder involving repeated or prolonged bacterial infection of the bladder or lower urinary tract (urethra).
- Most urinary tract infections (UTI) occur in the lower urinary tract, which includes the bladder and urethra.
- Treatment Mild cases of acute cystitis may disappear spontaneously without treatment.
- Antibiotics may be used to control the bacterial infection.
Alternative names
UTI - chronic or recurrent
Definition
This is a disorder involving repeated or prolonged bacterial infection of the bladder or lower urinary tract (urethra).
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Most urinary tract infections (UTI) occur in the lower urinary tract, which includes the bladder and urethra. Cystitis (lower urinary tract infection) is caused when the normally sterile lower urinary tract is infected by bacteria and becomes inflamed. Cystitis is very common.
Most of the time, symptoms of cystitis disappear within 24 to 48 hours after treatment begins. Chronic or recurrent urinary tract infection includes repeated episodes of cystitis (more than 2 in 6 months), or urinary tract infection that does not respond to the usual treatment or that lasts longer than 2 weeks.
In young girls, recurrent urinary tract infections may be an indication of a urinary tract abnormality, such as vesicoureteral reflux, and should be evaluated by a medical care provider. (In boys, even a single urinary tract infection indicates the necessity for evaluation, because urinary tract infections in boys are extremely uncommon in the absence of urinary tract abnormalities.)
The elderly population are at increased risk for developing cystitis due to incomplete emptying of the bladder associated with such conditions as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis, and urethral strictures.
Also, lack of adequate fluids, bowel incontinence, immobility or decreased mobility, having a Foley catheter, and placement in a nursing home, all place the person at increased risk for developing cystitis.
Symptoms
- pressure in the lower pelvis
- urination, painful (dysuria)
- frequent need to urinate (frequency)
- urgent need to urinate (urgency)
- need to urinate at night
- abnormal urine color - cloudy
- blood in the urine (hematuria)
- foul or strong urine odor
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
- nausea and vomiting
- fever
- fatigue
- fever
- chills
- mental changes or confusion (Note: In elderly people, mental changes or confusion often are the only signs of a possible urinary tract infection.)
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
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