Urinary Tract Infection

Question 1

What is a urinary tract infection?

Answer 1

An infection of the urinary system, usually at the bladder (cystitis).

Question 2

what are common symptoms of a lower UTI? (cystitis)

Answer 2

Dysuria (pain while peeing), increased frequency, foul smell, reduced urine output.
Children - failure to thrive.
elderly - confusion.

Question 3

What are signs of an upper UTI? (Pyelonephritis)

Answer 3

Fever, nausea, vomiting + the rest.

Question 4

what is the most common organism causing a UTI?

Answer 4

E.Coli, klebsiella, enteroccocus, proteus.

Question 5

What number of bacteria suggests an infection?

Answer 5

>10^5 = infection.
10^3-10^4 = could be infection (if symptoms are present)
<10^3 = no infection

Question 6

what are the risk factors of a UTI?

Answer 6

Female, sexual intercourse, menopause (reduced oestrogen), diabetes, catheter.
children - vesicouretetic reflux.

Question 7

What are the tests for UTI?

Answer 7

Urine dipstick - to see if there an infection, MSSU - to determine the causative bacteria, microbiology.

Question 8

What might the urine dipstick show in UTI?

Answer 8

Nitrites = infection
Leukocytes + RBCs = infection

(Treat it patient has nitrites alone, don’t treat if there’s only leukocytes alone).

Question 9

What is the treatment of UTI?

Answer 9

Amoxicillin, cephalosporin, trimethoprim, nitrofurantoin.

Question 10

What is the first choice of antibiotic in non-pregnant and pregnant females with UTI?

Answer 10

Nitrofurantoin.

Question 11

what is the length of antibiotic course which should be given for UTI?

Answer 11

3 days - normal female
5-10 days - female pregnant, risk factors
7 days - child or man.