Urinary tract infections are very common, affecting up to 10 million people in the US annually. Although anyone can develop a UTI, they are far more common in women than any other group of people. They often stem from the E coli bacteria located in your large intestine. These bacteria usually are harmless, but when they cause an infection, it can lead to a number of unpleasant symptoms: pelvic and abdominal pain, pelvic pressure, frequent urination, urge incontinence, painful urination, and bloody urine.
Managing the condition is usually simple and straightforward, unless you have a related illness called a complicated UTI, which causes other problems and can be harder to treat. To better understand this problem, let’s examine the differences between the two forms of UTIs, the underlying causes, and what can be done to cure them.
Residents of the Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and South Florida areas dealing with UTIs or other urinary problems can find help with Dr. Craig Herman, Dr. Steven Kester and their team at the Urology Center of Florida.
The vast majority of UTIs are uncomplicated and easily treatable, but that isn’t the case with the complicated version. Complicated UTIs can affect pregnant women, men, people with catheters, those with weakened immune systems, and people who’ve recently had surgery. Although both types of UTI can have many of the same signs, complicated UTIs often come with fever, chills, delirium, and discomfort or pain on the flank.
If a child contracts a complicated UTI, their symptoms can include feeding problems, vomiting, irritability, changes in urination habits, fever, and recurrent stomach pain.
Most uncomplicated UTIs are caused by sexual intercourse or catheters. However, a complicated UTI may be due to other forms of bacteria that may be resistant to drugs and therefore harder to treat. All of these factors make it easier for the condition to worsen and increase the risk of complications like sepsis, kidney infection, kidney stones, and fever.
Since the standard antibiotics used to treat common UTIs are unlikely to be effective with the more resistant complicated variety, broad-spectrum antibiotics may be necessary. Drinking lots of water will help to flush the system while the medication does its work. If you have a history of UTIs, and there’s a chance you’re building a resistance to regular treatments, broad-spectrum antibiotics may be more effective for you. Treatment can take up to two weeks and could require hospitalization and intravenous application of antibiotics if the infection is severe enough.
Complicated UTIs are more difficult to manage, but we can help you get relief and get back to living your life without discomfort. Make an appointment via phone or online with Drs. Herman or Kester and the Urology Center of Florida today to get help you need.
