Did you know that a urine test can also show bacteria in your urine? If your test reports show bacteria, chances are you might have urinary tract infections (UTIs). These infections affect your urinary system and are mostly caused by bacteria. While they are treatable, they can be life-threatening if the infection spreads further in the upper parts of your urinary tract and reaches the blood. That’s why timely noticing its symptoms and taking medical intervention is necessary. Learn what causes bacteria in urine and its treatment in this article. Log on to www.doralhw.org for a consultation.
Causes of Bacteria in Urine
Bacteria found in the urine are a sign of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Large numbers of bacteria live around the vagina and rectum and your skin. Bacteria can enter the urinary tract through the urethra, spread to the bladder, and sometimes reach the kidneys. While the urinary system is designed to keep out bacteria, sometimes the defenses fail. When this happens, no matter how far they go, bacteria will cause urinary tract problems. It is more common in women than men because of shorter urethras, so bacteria have a shorter distance to travel to reach the bladder.
These infections are usually caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), which is a type of bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, sometimes other bacteria can also be the reason. Different infectious diseases, like sexually transmitted infections, including herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and mycoplasma, also cause infections in the urinary tract.
Symptoms
Bacteria in the urine are a sign of a UTI. Symptoms depend on which part of the urinary tract is infected. If the lower part of the urinary tract is infected, which involves the urethra and bladder, you may experience any of the following lower tract UTI symptoms:
- Burning sensation during urination.
- High frequency of urination without passing much urine.
- Urinary urgency.
- Blood in the urine.
- Cloudy urine.
- Dark urine that appears brown (like cola or tea).
- Urine with a strong odor.
- Pelvic pain in women and rectal pain in men.
If your upper part of the urinary tract is infected, which involves the kidneys, then it can be potentially life-threatening because it can reach the blood and cause dangerously low blood pressure, shock, and death. This condition is called urosepsis. Upper UTI symptoms include:
- Pain and tenderness in the upper back and sides.
- Fever.
- Chills.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
Treatment
Treatment for UTI depends on the severity of the infection and which part of the urinary system is affected. Usually, antibiotics are prescribed to treat both lower and upper tract infections. However, for lower tract infections, oral antibiotics are used, whereas for upper tract intravenous antibiotics are used. Your health and the type of bacteria found in your urine determine which antibiotics would be prescribed and how long you would need them. The common antibiotics used to treat UTIs are:
- Amoxicillin
- Doxycycline
- Fluoroquinolones
- Fosfomycin
- Nitrofurantoin
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
Generally, the whole course of antibiotics can last anywhere between 3 to 10 days. If you’re pregnant with a kidney infection, have a high fever, serious pain, and can’t handle food or liquids, then you may need to go to a hospital and get intravenous (IV) antibiotics and fluids. Once your condition stabilizes, you can be prescribed oral antibiotic pills.
Sometimes bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics due to overuse. That’s why a doctor will prescribe antibiotics for the shortest duration possible. The doctor selects the antibiotic treatment based on the urine culture result to know which one works best against the type of bacteria that caused your infection. If that is the case, the doctor may give antibiotics through intravenous fluids.
If you develop frequent or chronic UTIs, your doctor may recommend:
- Low-dose antibiotics, which you can take for 6 months or longer.
- Take a single dose of an antibiotic after sex, if that’s your common infection trigger.
- Take antibiotics for 1 or 2 days every time symptoms appear.
- Vaginal estrogen therapy should be used if you’ve reached menopause.
- Manage symptoms with home remedies while staying in touch with your doctor.
Some home remedies can help manage UTI symptoms, including:
- You can take over the counter or prescribed medicine to lower the burning pain in the bladder. However, it won’t treat your infection.
- You can take acetaminophen to lower your fever and pain.
- You may use a heating pad to lower the pain.
- Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water to flush out bacteria through urine.
Cranberry juice is mostly recommended because it contains a tannin that prevents E. coli bacteria from sticking to the walls of your bladder, which can cause an infection. However, research hasn’t found how effective it is in lowering infections.
Similarly, a sugar called D-mannose found in fruits like cranberries and apples can block the E. coli bacteria from latching onto cells in the urinary tract. It is also sold as a supplement to treat UTIs, however, studies are still trying to find significant findings on its mechanism of action. That’s why experts don’t recommend it. You can try it to manage recurring UTIs with D-mannose along with an antibiotic.
Bacteria in urine is a common sign of urinary tract infections caused when bacteria enter the urinary system involving the urethra, bladder, and kidneys. It can cause many symptoms and can be dangerous if not treated in time. That’s why you should carefully notice its symptoms and seek medical attention to treat your infection and improve your health.
If you need help with infections, visit our infectious specialist in Brooklyn clinic for proper diagnosis and treatment. Call us to book your appointment now!!!! Our infectious disease doctors make sure your condition gets diagnosed and treated properly. For more information or to make an appointment, call us to get a consultation. Call us on +1-718-367-2555 If you need any information on infections, log on to www.doralhw.org get a consultation. We have the best doctors that can help you and improve your quality.
