UTI: Complications and Diagnosis

If a urinary tract infection (UTI) is managed properly, it usually resolves without any complications. However, untreated UTIs, especially upper urinary tract infections, can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, prompt and proper diagnosis and management are important factors for a good outcome.

Complications

Untreated urinary tract infections can cause following complications.

• An untreated UTI can lead to an acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) upper urinary tract infection (pyelonephritis), and consequently, results in permanent kidney damage.

• Recurrent urinary tract infections (it is a common problem, especially among women, who got three or more episodes of UTIs.)

• Untreated UTIs can increase the risk of delivering premature or low birth-weight infants.

Diagnosis

Your doctor may recommend doing certain investigations and procedures to diagnose UTI. They include:

Urine sample analysis

You may be asked to collect the urine sample, avoiding contamination. They will advise you to wipe the genital region with an antiseptic swab or pad initially and then to collect a midstream urine sample. They will use the urine sample for analysis and will look for red blood cells, white blood cells (pus cells), or bacteria.

Urine culture

Sometimes, your doctor may ask to do a urine culture, following the initial urine analysis. It is an investigation, which uses the urine sample to grow pathogenic bacteria in a specific medium (culture medium). It helps to identify the bacteria, which is causing the urinary tract infection. The urine culture test also helps select the most effective antibiotics against the particular bacteria.

Imaging of the urinary tract

Sometimes, abnormalities in the urinary tract lead to UTIs. If the doctor suspects a urinary tract abnormality, which causes recurrent UTIs, he or she may ask to do a computerised tomography (CT) scan or an ultrasound scan (USS). They help create images of the urinary tract and the abnormality. Sometimes, your doctor will use a dye (contrast medium) to highlight the certain parts of the urinary tract. Some doctors use X-rays with a contrast medium to visualise the urinary tract. It is known as intravenous pyelogram (IVP). However, this investigation is being replaced more frequently by CT or ultrasound scan.

Cystoscopy

If you are suffering from recurrent urinary tract infections, your doctor may ask to perform a cystoscopy. A cystoscope is a flexible, thin, long device with a camera or lens. It helps the doctor to visualise inside the bladder and the urethra. The doctor inserts the cystoscope along the urethra to your bladder.




Related Links:

How to Recognise a Urinary Tract Infection?
Urinary Tract Infection: Causes
Who Is at Risk of UTI?
UTI: Treatments
How to Prevent a UTI? 
How to Manage Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in Children?