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Q: What are the syptoms for a bladder infection or urinary tract infection?
A: Urinary tract infections are very common. When present, they should be treated with antibiotics, chosen depending on the bacteria responsible for the infection in the particular case being considered and the sensitivity of the bacteria to the antibiotic employed. A large number of infections are due to a an organism referred to as E. Coli, although other organisms may also be responsible for the infection. In particular, in chronic infections two or more types of bacteria may be resposible for the infection. A typical symptom of an uncomplicated urinary tract infection is irritation when voiding. In particular, burning on urination, frequency (having to frequently void), urgency (having the urge to void), nocturia (having to frequently void during the night), may be present. Chills, fever, a cloudy or malodorous urine , and the presence of blood in the urine (hematuria) are all symptoms that may be sometimes present, but not always. In general, symptoms are generally unreliable in the diagnosis and may be absent despite significant infection. When the kidneys are involved in the infection, flank pain may also be present. This pain may radiate to the groin or to the external genitalia. Urinary tract infection can be recognized with certainty only by culturing the urine to determine the number and class of bacteria present. Also, microscocopic analysis of the urine generally shows the presence of many white blood cells, and may also show the presence of many red blood cells. As mentioned above, the treatment of urinary tract infection consists in giving antibiotics, suitable chosen depending on the infection.
Updated: 06/13/99
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