ABSTRACT

A UTI is an inflammation of the urinary tract by an infectious agent. Effective management begins by obtaining a careful history with attention given to current symptomatology, prior episodes of documented UTI, and risk factors that can initiate (e.g. urethral catheterization or sexual intercourse) or complicate (diabetes mellitus or pregnancy) a UTI. The higher incidence in females reflects the shorter urethra and lack of a prostate. The increased incidence in the teens represents urethral trauma due to sex; the general increase with advancing old age reflects obstruction, cystocele and atrophic vaginitis. Below age 50, UTI is almost entirely a disease of females.