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UTI stands for Urinary Tract Infection. It’s a name given to the different type of infections that can affect the urinary system. A UTI is not a sexually transmitted infection.
If you suffer from diabetes, prostatitis, inflammation of the epididymis or a gynaecological illness you run a higher risk of contracting a UTI. You are also more at risk of developing UTIs if you use a catheter.
UTIs are a problem that mainly affects women, the infection occurs when bacteria in the urine is allowed to grow. The reason that women suffer from this more than men is partly because a woman’s urethra is very short and partly because it’s close to the vagina and the anus from which bacteria can easily spread.
UTIs are usually divided into two groups: those that affect the upper urinary system and thereby also the kidneys, and those infections that only affect the lower urinary system – namely the urethra and bladder.
During severe infections, there will be a large amount of bacteria in your urine along with a fever, frequent needs to urinate, a burning feeling when you do urinate, cloudy urine and generally feeling unwell. There may also be blood in the urine.
It is very important that you contact your doctor if you think you have a UTI, it is very easy for the doctor to treat with tablets, and if it isn’t treated straight away the infection can go up to your kidneys, which can be very dangerous and can permanently damage the kidneys.
During milder infections your urine becomes cloudy and smells bad. This is the type of infection that seldom develops into more severe problems and doesn’t always have to be treated. Most people who empty their bladders using an indwelling (permanent) catheter will contract this milder type of infection. Using LoFric Catheters to empty your bladder will significantly reduce the risk of your contracting UTIs.
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