Community Voices for Health

By Eoin Moriarty, Internal Medicine Physician Assistant at Signature Healthcare

A very common complaint we see in Primary Care is pain with urination or “dysuria.” Although there are many types of dysuria, the most common cause is a urinary tract infection or UTI. A UTI is an infection of the bladder or any part of the urinary system including the kidneys and urethra. Urinary tract infections are most commonly caused by bacteria such as E. coli.

When a patient has a UTI, they typically have these symptoms: a burning sensation when they urinate, increased trips to the bathroom, and/or difficulty urinating. If you experience these symptoms, you should follow-up with your primary care provider as soon as possible. They will likely perform a urine test called a urinalysis to evaluate for signs of UTI such as nitrites and white blood cells. Once a UTI is confirmed, you will likely be treated with antibiotics for a short period of time and encouraged to increase your fluid intake.

Keeping well-hydrated and going to the bathroom when needed can help reduce the incidence of UTIs. Urinating shortly after sexual intercourse also can help prevent UTIs.

It’s also important to know when a UTI is serious enough to go to the Emergency Department. If left untreated, a UTI can become an infection of the kidneys called pyelonephritis. These infections typically require IV antibiotics and monitoring. If you are having a UTI but also having lower back pain, fevers, or chills, please go to the nearest Emergency Department.