The urinary tract consists mainly of the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. Infections that occur in any of these organs are known as urinary tract infections or UTIs. UTIs are more common in women than men and are caused by microbes, fungi, and viruses. Patients can develop the infection in their upper or lower tract. Doctors often treat the condition with antibiotics. Here are a few symptoms of UTIs and standard diagnosis methods.

Symptoms
Detecting a UTI can be tricky since not all patients experience symptoms. But if they do, the signs include the following:

1. Burning sensation during urination
This is one of the most common UTI signs among women. The burning can sometimes be unbearable. It is caused when harmful bacteria enter the urinary tract. Besides a burning sensation, patients may also experience a persistent and strong urge to urinate.

2. Cloudy urine
When affected by a UTI, the body produces an excess of white blood cells (WBCs) to fight the infection, making the urine appear cloudy. In addition, patients may also notice traces of blood in the urine. It may seem bright pink, red, or cola-colored.

3. Pelvic pain
Women experience pain in the center of the pelvis and around the pubic bone area. Pain in the lower abdomen, back, and side is also an indication of a severe UTI.

Besides the above signs, individuals may also experience nausea, vomiting, high fever, and shaking chills as the immune system tries to fight the infection-causing bacteria. Those who have severe episodes of these should see a doctor immediately.

Tests for diagnosis
Several tests help doctors diagnose a UTI. Depending on the patient’s symptoms, doctors opt for one or a combination of the following:

1. Urinalysis
This test determines the number of white blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs), and bacteria in the urine. Higher levels of WBCs and RBCs indicate a presence of an infection.

2. Urine culture
After doctors confirm that a patient has a UTI, they need to determine which bacteria are causing the infection using a urine culture test. Based on the findings, they prescribe an appropriate course of treatment.

3. Ultrasound
Doctors use ultrasound to obtain high-resolution images of the urinary tract organs to determine if there is any disease or injury. It is pretty simple, painless, and does not require a lot of preparation.

4. Cystoscopy
Here, doctors use a specific instrument fitted with a light source and lens to see inside the bladder through the urethra. The procedure is done using a numbing gel or sedative. Depending on the infection’s severity, doctors determine the right way to go about it.

If an individual experiences any of the above symptoms, they should see a doctor at once. It is better to get checked and treat a UTI before it worsens and leads to other complications.