Types of Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary Tract Infections - Contents At A Glance

Overview of UTI	Risk Factors for UTI	Complications of UTI
Types of UTI	When to see a doctor	Prevention of UTI
Causes of UTI	Tests and Diagnosis	Questions & Answers
Symptoms and Signs	Treatment of UTIs

The names given to the different types of urinary tract infections depend on the kind of classification being used. Doctors have devised variuos methods of classifying these infections to help in providing proper care to patients. The classifications use criteria such as origin of infection and part of the urinary tract infected as the basis for differentiation.

Classification based on origin of infection:

• Community acquired UTI: This type of urinary tract infection got its name because it affects people outside the hospital. The germs responsible are those commonly found in the community (i.e. outside the hospital). With the right treatment, it usually resolves without complications.
• Hospital acquired UTI: This affects people already on admission in the hospital for some other condition. The germs that cause this type of UTI are germs commonly found in the hospital and they are more difficult to treat compared to community acquired UTIs.

Classification based on part of the urinary tract affected:

• Pyelonephritis - This is the technical name given to kidney infection. Most times it is accompanied by infection of the ureters.
• Cystitis - This simply means infection of the bladder.
• Urethritis - This is infection of the urethra. i.e. The passage from the bladder to the exterior.

Infection of the kidneys and ureters are sometimes referred to as Upper UTIs while infections of the bladder and urethra are referred to as Lower UTIs.

There are other classifications based on the infecting organism but these become complicated and are best left for medical personnel.

Note: These classifications are primarily to help in medical management so don't get confused.

 

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Created - March, 2007
Last updated - August, 2009