Infants and Children
- UTIs are one of the most common infections in children.
- Signs and symptoms of a UTI in infancy (children under 2 years) are non-specific, the biggest indicator being an unexplained fever. For children of more than 2 years of age, UTI symptoms present as fever, chills and back or side pain.
- Symptoms of infection in the lower urinary tracts include pain above the pubic bone, pain urinating, increased frequency and or urgency to urinate as well as cloudy, dark or odorous urine. As soon as any symptoms present, test yourself as soon as possible.
- Wearing nappies can increase the risk of UTIs as nappies create a moist, warm environment, which bacteria thrive in and faecal matter can come in contact with the urethra.
- Females are at greater risk as their urethra is closer to the anus and is a shorter length from the opening to the bladder compared to males.
- Early intervention is emphasised to prevent life-long kidney damage and in the detection of underlying renal complications. In 30% of children with urinary tract abnormalities a UTI is the first indicator. Damage to the upper urinary tract is likely to occur if a UTI is undetected. Urinary reflux is a common condition caused by the bladder valve allowing back flow of urine to the kidneys, thus enhancing the risk of infection.
Females
Women
Mature women
Mature women
- All women are susceptible to a UTI, it is estimated that as many as 60% of all women report having had a UTI as least once in their lifetime.
- Survey data found that 1 in 3 women will have had a diagnosed and treated UTI by age 24.
- Sexually active women are most vulnerable because the urethra is relatively short. A short urethra means a relatively short distance for the bacteria to ascend from the tip of the urethra to the bladder, The urethra is also a closer distance to the anus (closer to faecal contamination) opposed to men.
- UTIs in pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester, is strongly associated with preeclampsia. UTIs in pregnancy are particularly risky as they can result in increased blood pressure and premature birth.
Mature women
Mature women
Mature women
- Urinary tract infections become more common with increasing age.
- The use of increasing numbers of medications and incontinence can increase UTI risk.
- After menopause or hysterectomy, women have a thinner and drier urethra and bladder lining, these can increase UTI risk.
- Immobility or wearing absorbent pants increases the risk of a UTI.
- Persons who are unable to communicate their symptoms are also at heightened risk of the infection severity worsening.
- Institutionalised elderly have a UTI prevalence range from 25-50% compared to non-institutionalised UTI prevalence rate of 6-30% for women.
Males
Men
Mature men
Mature men
- UTIs become more frequent with age and physical disability.
- Men with prostate complications and prostate enlargement are at a greater risk of UTI as an enlarged prostate can cause the bladder to only partially empty.
- 12% of men will have symptoms of at least one UTI in their lifetime
Mature men
Mature men
Mature men
- Urinary tract infections become more common with increasing age due to the use of increasing numbers of medications and incontinence can increase UTI risk.
- Urinary bacterial infections in elderly men are more sporadic and can be complex to diagnose.
- Prostate enlargement in men increases the risk of UTIs.
- Immobility or wearing absorbent pants increases the risk of a UTI.
- Persons who are unable to communicate their symptoms are also at heightened risk of the infection severity worsening.
- Institutionalised elderly have a UTI prevalence range from 25-50% compared to non-institutionalised UTI prevalence rate of 11-13% for men.