Symptoms Of A Urinary Tract Infection

Cloudy Urine

Cloudy urine can indicate the presence of bacteria or fungi in the urine, and it is important for patients with this symptom to undergo prompt testing. Individuals experiencing this symptom may wish to keep a diary for a week or so, noting the date, time, and any instances of cloudy urine. To investigate cloudy urine, doctors will do a urine culture to determine the specific bacteria or fungi causing the infection. Occasionally, viruses may cause symptoms of a urinary tract infection, and separate investigations are needed in this instance.

Treatment for cloudy urine normally consists of a course of oral antibiotics. Trimethoprim, fosfomycin, cephalexin, and nitrofurantoin are some of the most commonly prescribed medicines for treating simple forms of urinary tract infections, and fluoroquinolone may be needed for more complex cases or for instances in which the urinary infection has spread to the kidneys. Patients should take these medications exactly as they have been prescribed, and they should report any new or worsening symptoms to their healthcare team. For the majority of individuals with cloudiness in the urine, normal urine color will gradually return as the infection clears. Patients should monitor the color of their urine during their recovery, and any new color changes should be mentioned to a doctor.

Blood In The Urine

Blood in the urine may be present in cases of a lower urinary tract infection, and patients might notice their urine takes on the color of cola or tea. Sometimes, patients could also have blood clots in their urine. Since blood in the urine might indicate a more serious illness, patients with this symptom should always seek a medical evaluation (except for women who are currently menstruating).

The doctor will ask about the patient's symptoms and perform a urinalysis to test for the presence of blood in the urine. For complex cases, patients may need to have ultrasound scans, MRI scans, intravenous pyelograms, or a cystoscopy to investigate the cause of the bleeding, and blood tests may be required to monitor kidney function. If the bleeding is due to a urinary tract infection, it generally resolves with treatment. Other causes of blood in the urine might require specialist treatment and frequent follow-up appointments.