Urinary tract infection is infection at any part of the urinary tract, including kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most urinary tract infection involves bladder and urethra. Symptoms include strong persistent urge to urinate, burning sensation when urinate, frequent urination. The urine can be cloudy, bloody (having colors such as red, pink, or cola-color). The urine can be very smelly. Female patients may feel pelvic pain in the center of the pelvis. Simple infection can be treated using antibiotics for about a week. Drug include trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra, others), fosfomycin (Monurol), nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Macrobid), cephalexin (Keflex), and ceftriaxone. Frequent infections can be treated using low dose antibiotics for 6 months or longer. Severe cases need intravenous antibiotics in a hospital.
How is Urinary tract infection treated in practice?