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.