Approximately one in five women will experience at least one urinary tract infection (UTI) in their lifetime. Women are most likely to experience their first urinary tract infection either when they become sexually active or when they become postmenopausal. UTIs are usually minor and easily treated but can cause serious illness if left untreated.

Urine is normally sterile and the act of urinating usually washes away any microorganisms that are trying to gain access to the body. Sometimes microorganisms can enter the urethra (tube carrying urine from the bladder to the outside) and travel up the urinary tract, causing infection in a number of locations. An infection of the urethra is known as urethritis, while an infection of the bladder is called cystitis. The most serious UTI, pyelonephritis, affects the upper urinary tract or kidneys.

The symptoms of a UTI usually include one or more of the following:

• Frequent urge to urinate.
• Pain or burning sensation when urinating.
• Pain above the pubic bone.
• Cloudy, strong-smelling urine.
• Blood in the urine.
• Fever.
• Pain in the small of the back.

If you think that you have a UTI, visit your doctor. An analysis of your urine will help to provide a diagnosis. When providing a urine sample for analysis, avoid contaminating the sample with bacteria from other sources by using the "mid-stream" urine collection technique. Clean the area around your urethra with sterile wipes and then begin urinating. After you have started urinating, place the specimen cup into the stream of urine and collect the specimen.

The following tips can help prevent UTI's:

• Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of fluids a day.
• Urinate frequently.
• Wash your genitals daily.
• Urinate after sexual intercourse.
• Don't use feminine hygiene products that contain perfumes or deodorants.

Antibiotics are used to treat UTIs. The specific antibiotic prescribed by your doctor will depend on the type of microorganism that is causing your UTI. Some commonly prescribed antibiotics for the treatment of uncomplicated UTI include:

• co-trimoxazole (Septra^®, Bactrim^®)
• nitrofurantoin (MacroBID^®)
• amoxicillin (Amoxil^®)
• norfloxacin (Noroxin^®)
• ciprofloxacin (Cipro^®)

Always finish the full course of your antibiotic prescription, even if you are feeling well again, to ensure that the microorganism causing your UTI has been eliminated. Check with your Overwaitea Foods pharmacist or visit our Healthtouch^® kiosk for more information on how to take your antibiotics, side effects, interactions and other drug-related information.