Beyond the Basics: Delving into the Different Types of UTI
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) refers to infections associated with the urinary system in humans and is classified into three types.
According to the National Healthcare Safety Network, CDC, each year, UTI infections constitute the fifth-most common healthcare infection in the US.
UTIs are not only widespread but also occur in varying degrees of complications.
The causal agents and the organs affected determine the type of UTI infection.
Knowing the different types of UTI infections for suitable treatment is essential.
Continue reading the article to better understand the various UTI types, their causes, and their treatment options.
Different types of UTI
The types of UTI infections depend on which part of the urinary tract it infects.
The three types of UTIs are as follows:
Urethritis
Urethritis is the inflammation of the Urethra (a tube through which the urine exits the body).
One of the most common types of UTI, Urethritis, affects over four million Americans annually.
It is often caused by Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrheaare the two most common causal organisms of STIs causing Urethritis in humans.
Candida sp., a common species of fungal yeast, can irritate the urinary tract, often leading to Urethritis.
Apart from that, Herpes Simplex Virus is a viral pathogen that causes Urethritis.
A few non-infectious conditions can also cause Urethritis. They include:
- Catheterization (insertion of foreign objects) of the Urethra causing local trauma
- Irritation of the genital area by tight clothing, bike riding, and various agents like soaps and powders
- Insufficient Estrogen levels in menopausal women
Urethritis risk factors include young age, unprotected intercourse, and multiple sexual partners.
Although Urethritis is usually asymptomatic, it shows visible symptoms at later stages.
Painful urination, urethral discharge, and a burning sensation are the most frequent symptom of Urethritis.
Other symptoms vary depending on the causal agents of Urethritis.
In men, urethral discharge is associated with Urethritis, and Cervicitis (infection of the cervix) is often observed in women suffering from Urethritis.
These symptoms help to determine the cause of Urethritis for treatment.
Physical examination, the patient’s medical history, and laboratory tests are required for diagnosis.
People are advised to get routinely checked and tested for infection in the Urethra for early detection and treatment.
Cystitis
Cystitis refers to the infection of the middle urinary tract, especially the urinary bladder.
It is often less frequent compared to Urethritis.
Bacterial infection is the leading cause of Cystitis.
The occurrence of Cystitis in men is relatively low compared to women.
People with Diabetes and pregnant women are at greater risk of Cystitis.
Based on the degree of infection, Cystitis can be classified into two types:
- Uncomplicated Cystitis, which affects only the Urinary Bladder
- Complicated Cystitis affects multiple organs and can even spread toward the kidneys if left untreated
For upto 90% of the cases, a bacteria called Escherichia coli is responsible for Cystitis, followed by other organisms, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis.
As compared to Urethritis, only a few organisms cause Cystitis.
Cystitis often presents symptoms like frequent urination, pain in the lower abdomen, burning sensation during urination, and occasionally hematuria (blood in urine).
Proper diagnosis of these symptoms helps to determine the treatment for Cystitis.
The patient’s pelvic examination, urine cultures, and medical history are used to determine the extent of infection.
The presence of pus, blood, and nitrites (chemicals produced by bacteria) in urine samples is also used as a test for Cystitis.
Getting your urine analyzed before getting any treatment for Cystitis is recommended.
Pyelonephritis
It is the most serious Urinary Tract Infection and can often be life-threatening.
Pyelonephritis is an infection of the kidneys and is one of the most common ailments affecting the kidneys worldwide.
When Cystitis infection ascends to the kidneys via the ureters (tubes connecting the bladder to the kidneys), Pyelonephritis occurs.
Pyelonephritis can be of two types depending on how many times it occurs:
- Acute Pyelonephritis is a sudden onset of serious kidney infection in patients with no prior history of kidney infections
- Chronic Pyelonephritis is the repeated occurrence of the same infection at regular intervals
Acute Pyelonephritis can be further divided into two more types:
- Complicated Pyelonephritis involves patients with pregnancies, untreated Diabetes, and kidney transplants
- Uncomplicated Pyelonephritis normally infects healthy persons with no prior complications
Since Pyelonephritis is caused by the migration of infection from the Urinary Bladder (Cystitis), most causal agents are the same as in Cystitis.
The most common infection-causing bacteria for Pyelonephritis is Escherichia coli.
Some other pathogens include Enterobacter, Klebsiella, and Proteus.
The common symptoms of Pyelonephritis are chronic fever, flank pain, and nausea accompanied by occasional vomiting.
To be sure, your urologist might need to do CT scans and test your urine.
Similar symptoms like Cystitis, which includes pain during urination and blood in urine, are also present in Pyelonephritis.
During urine analysis, the presence of pus in urine (Pyuria) is a sure sign of Pyelonephritis in most cases.
A CT scan typically goes hand in hand with urine analysis for correctly identifying the stage and type of Pyelonephritis for treatment.
Treatment of Pyelonephritis usually involves using antipyretics, antibiotics, and analgesics.
An intravenous solution of antibiotics is given during acute infection of Pyelonephritis.
Follow-up urine cultures are performed to see how well the patient responds to the treatment.
Timely management of Pyelonephritis is important as delay in treatment can result in severe medical problems and even death.
Consulting a professional
Professional help is required when dealing with different types of UTI infections.
Although UTIs are mainly caused by bacterial infection, administering anti-bacterial antibiotics is not enough to treat all types of UTIs.
It is required to correctly identify the problem and get recommended the treatment that works for you.
Regular checkups and laboratory tests help to watch out for any potential issues.
By educating yourself about the various types of UTIs, you can take your health and well-being into your own hands.
Takeaway
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are classified based on which section of the Urinary Tract it infects.
Cystitis, Urethritis, and Pyelonephritis are the three major types of UTIs.
The most common form of UTI, Urethritis, is an infection of the Urethra.
Urethritis is often sexually transmitted (like Gonorrhea) or can be caused by physical conditions like irritation and Catheterization (inserting physical objects in the urethra).
Cystitis, or urinary bladder infection, occurs less frequently than Urethritis.
When Cystitis progresses upwards toward the kidneys, it causes infection of the kidneys called Pyelonephritis, which can be fatal.
Painful urination, pain in affected parts (like the abdomen), urethral discharge, pus in the urine, and blood in the urine are common symptoms of all types of UTI.
Urine culture, urine analysis, and medical imaging like CT scans diagnose different UTIs and their causal agents.
Treatments can vary considerably depending on the type of UTI, but it follows the general combination of antibiotics, antipyretics, and analgesics.
Patients are advised to visit their urologist for accurate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment for different UTIs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of UTIs?
The three types of Urinary Tract Infections are Urethritis, Cystitis, and Pyelonephritis. Urethritis refers to the ailment of the urethra, Cystitis affects the urinary bladder, and Pyelonephritis infects the kidneys. Pyelonephritis is divided into acute and chronic forms. Cystitis and Acute Pyelonephritis are again classified as complicated and uncomplicated.
What is the most serious UTI?
Pyelonephritis, the infection of the kidneys, is the most serious of all UTIs, which can result in death if not treated timely. Pyelonephritis occurs when the Cystitis infection migrates to the kidneys from the urinary bladder via the ureters.
What are the main symptoms of UTI?
The main symptoms of a UTI are painful urination, burning sensation, frequent urination, urethral discharge, pus and blood in urine, and pain in the affected areas. Inflammation of the affected area is also seen. Fever, flank pain, and nausea are also observed in severe cases.
How can I avoid UTI infections?
Proper hygiene, drinking plenty of fluids, using protection during sex, and urinating before and after sex can be practiced to avoid UTIs. Furthermore, engaging in regular checkups with your urologist also helps.
What is the treatment for different types of UTIs?
Treatment of UTIs involves symptomatic treatment using analgesics and antipyretics. Antibiotics are administered after finding out the causal agents behind the UTI. Since different types of UTIs involve distinct body parts, the treatment can also vary depending on the type of UTI.
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