What is urinary tract infection in men?Urinary tract infection (UTI) is caused by bacteria in the urinary tract. The urinary tract includes the: Show
Any or all of these parts of the urinary tract can get infected. Men rarely get urinary tract infections before age 50, but they are more common in older men. Men older than 50 may have an infection but no symptoms. How does it occur?Normally the urinary tract does not have any bacteria or other organisms in it. Bacteria that cause UTI often spread from the rectum to the urethra and then to the bladder or kidneys. (The urethra is the small tube in the penis through which urine passes.) Sometimes bacteria spread from another part of the body through the bloodstream to the urinary tract. Urinary tract infection is less common in men than in women because the male urethra is long, making it difficult for bacteria to spread to the bladder. Urinary tract infection may be caused by a sexually transmitted disease. Sometimes a stone in the urinary tract blocks the flow of urine and causes an infection. In older men, an enlarged prostate can cause a urinary tract infection by keeping urine from draining out of the bladder completely. Infection might also be caused by the use of a catheter used to drain the bladder or by urethral stricture, which is a narrowing of the urethra by scar tissue from previous infections or surgical procedures. You may be more likely to have a UTI if you have diabetes or another medical problem that affects the immune system. What are the symptoms?The symptoms of urinary tract infection may include:
How is it diagnosed?Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history. You may have lab tests of your urine and discharge from the urethra and prostate gland. For serious or repeated infections, you may need:
How is it treated?UTIs are usually treated with antibiotics. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe a medicine called Pyridium to relieve burning and discomfort. If the infection is causing fever, pain, or vomiting or you have a severe kidney infection, you may need to stay at the hospital for treatment. How long will the effects last?For most UTIs, the symptoms go away within 24 hours after you begin treatment. Take all of the medicine your healthcare provider prescribes, even after the symptoms go away. If you stop taking your medicine before the scheduled end of treatment, the infection may come back. Without treatment, the infection can last a long time. If it is not treated, the infection can permanently damage the bladder and kidneys, or it may spread to the blood. If the infection spreads to the blood, it can be fatal. How can I take care of myself?
Over the Counter Medications for Urinary Tract Infections
Pain Relief: Fever Reducers: UTI Prevention: Call your healthcare provider right away if:
How can I help prevent urinary tract infection?You can help prevent UTIs if you:
Developed by RelayHealth. Can male UTI heal without antibiotics?If you've contracted a UTI, it is important to have fluids as frequently as possible so that you urinate more frequently and the harmful bacteria are flushed out of your urinary tract through natural means. This option means curing your symptoms without the use of medication.
Will a UTI go away on its own male?Will a male UTI clear up on its own? No, a UTI will generally not clear up on its own. Some remedies may help mitigate your symptoms and reintroduce healthy bacteria back into your body, but in most cases, a course of antibiotics is required to clear the infection.
How long does it take for a male UTI to go away?An uncomplicated UTI affects the lower urinary tract and is also known as cystitis or a bladder infection. An uncomplicated UTI is treated with antibiotics, and people typically recover within 3 days to 6 weeks .
What happens if you leave a UTI untreated in men?Most UTIs are not considered serious. However, leaving it untreated can lead to more serious medical problems. Infection can likely spread to your kidneys and blood stream causing permanent damage, and even death.
|