Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused mainly by bacteria and viruses that enter the urinary tract. There are many factors that can increase the chances of getting a UTI some of them being sexual intercourse especially in women, a weakened immune system due to diseases such as is the case with sickle cell and diabetic patients. Since UTIs are a case of bacteria that enter the urinary tract through the urethra poor toilet hygiene can be the cause. There are also other conditions that can promote the incidence of UTIs which include pregnancy and prostrate gland enlargement in men.
UTIs can be as a result of some allergenic responses to certain foodstuffs. Certain foods can irritate the epithelia of the bladder thus causing it to respond in such a way that it becomes vulnerable to bacterial attack. You can also get UTIs as a result of being allergic to spermicides, contraceptive pills or any other birth control method you will be using.

For the elderly who are using catheters, there is a high chance of developing UTIs as a result of poor aseptic conditions. This will cause bacteria to enter the urinary system through the catheter and is it much easier for the bacteria to multiply in great numbers due to the fact that immunity diminishes with age thus causing urinary tract infection in the elderly.

Bacterial invasion of the epithelia of the bladder and urethra is as a result of the epithelial proteins that play a role in the binding of bacteria being disrupted. This means that when the bacteria enter the urinary tract they do not bind to the walls of the bladder and thus they cannot be destroyed by the immune system. This is so for the bacteria has to first bind to the epithelia before it is engulfed by phagocytosis and is then destroyed by white blood cells. So once these proteins that help in the binding of bacteria are disrupted then the person is at high risk of developing UTIs.

In women UTIs are caused by the fact that their urethra very close to the anus and also that they do not have any prostatic gland which secretes substances that help prevent infection. Vigorous sexual activity has also been linked to the onset of UTIs. This is so because vigorous sexual activity will result in abrasions on the urinary tract which are left exposed to bacteria attack as their protective barrier would have been removed.

The well known major causes for urinary tract infections are bacteria, with E. Coli being one of the common bacteria. These infections arise from the presence of bacteria at the surface of the rectum skin or vagina as in females. The bacteria then make their way to the urinary tract through passage provided by the urethra. This will lead to the infection of many other parts of the urinary tract including the infection of the bladder. The bacteria may take a few days to multiply and spread to the urinary tract. In men, the bacteria may spread all the way to the urethra, a condition known as urethritis. The infection if untreated continuous to spread to the bladder (Cystitis). In severe cases the bacteria will spread to the kidneys and will cause permanent damage which may lead to a fatal case of infection.

The symptoms of urinary tract infections are very easy to identify but in some rare cases there are mistaken for sexually transmitted diseases. Not all the cases of Urinary tract infections (UTI’s) involve symptoms; in some cases the person may show no symptoms at all. The symptoms may include; a persistent feeling of wanting to urinate all the time especially at night. Despite the need to urinate, the person may just release a few drops of urine at that moment. The infected person may feel a burning or painful sensation when urinating. This pain can even appear when not urinating and sufferers may always feel unease and generally shaky. The pain appears right at the bladder and urethra both during and after urination. Women may feel a discomforting feeling right at the pubic bone. Blood may be present in the urine and the urine appears whitish or cloudy in color. A fever may not be one of the diagnostic symptoms of urinary tract infection as it indicates the severe point of infection. The fever may indicate that the infection would have reached to the kidneys. At such a point you must consult your doctor so as to avoid serious complications. The following symptoms may indicate the presence of the infection in the kidneys; severe back pains, vomiting, chills and nausea.

It is important that proper diagnostic measures and tests be taken by doctors before a conclusion is made on urinary tract infections. These symptoms in some common cases may indicate the prevalence of a sexually transmitted disease. Even in some cases urinary tract infections may be spread through sexual intercourse.