17/05/2026
UTI (Urinary Tract Infection): Infection of the urinary tract, most commonly the bladder in lower UTI/cystitis. It classically presents with dysuria, frequency, urgency, and suprapubic discomfort.
💠 Common symptoms
➟ Dysuria
➟ Urinary frequency
➟ Urgency
➟ These are the classic symptoms of lower UTI / cystitis.
💠 Other lower UTI features
➟ Suprapubic pain or pressure
➟ Burning micturition
➟ Cloudy or foul-smelling urine may occur
➟ Hematuria can occur in some patients.
💠 Diagnostic clues
➟ Urinalysis may show pyuria
➟ Leukocyte esterase may be positive
➟ Nitrites may be positive, especially in gram-negative infection
➟ Diagnosis is often based on typical symptoms plus urine testing when needed.
💠 Common organism / risk clues
➟ E. coli is the most common cause
➟ Risk is higher with female s*x, s*xual activity, and pregnancy
➟ Catheter use, diabetes, and urinary obstruction increase risk
➟ Recurrent infection is more likely with structural or functional urinary abnormalities.
💠 Red flags for upper UTI / pyelonephritis
➟ Fever
➟ Flank pain
➟ Costovertebral angle tenderness
➟ These suggest pyelonephritis, not simple cystitis.
💠 Core management
➟ Oral antibiotics are commonly used for symptomatic lower UTI
➟ Encourage adequate fluids to avoid dehydration
➟ Analgesia / symptomatic relief can help
➟ Antibiotic choice should follow local guidelines, resistance patterns, and prior culture results.
💠 When culture / escalation is needed
➟ Pregnant women and men with lower UTI should have a urine sample sent for culture before antibiotics
➟ Culture is also important in complicated, recurrent, resistant, or non-improving UTI
➟ Reassess if symptoms worsen rapidly or do not improve within 48 hours of antibiotics
➟ Hospital referral is needed if there are signs of sepsis or more serious illness.
💠 Important management clue
➟ Non-pregnant women with uncomplicated lower UTI may sometimes be managed with either immediate antibiotics or a backup prescription, depending