Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

FAQ

Below you will find answers to our most commonly asked questions. If you don't find the answer you are looking for please contact us at (212) 218-3900

How do I know if I have a urinary tract infection?

• Cloudy or dark urine
• Foul-smelling urine
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Fever or fatigue
• Pain with urination
• Back pain

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, Urgent Care Appointments are available. After your appointment, Total Urology Care of NY will send you back home with a diagnosis, medication, and treatment plan should your infection come back.

What causes urinary tract infections?

Bacteria cause urinary tract infections. The balance of bacteria and yeast keep our skin and genitals healthy. If those bacteria migrate into the urethra and bladder and do not flush out while urinating, an inflammatory process can occur, resulting in the symptoms associated with a bladder infection, or UTI.

Most urinary tract infections, also called bladder infections or cystitis, start in the bladder. They usually remain localized, in rare cases the bacteria can travel into the kidneys. The indication that the infection has moved into the kidneys is the presence of a fever over 101 degrees. Bacteria are naturally present in the vagina, around the anus, and on the skin outside of the urethra.

Who gets urinary tract infections?

No one is immune to UTIs. However, women are four times more likely to get an infection than men. That’s because the urethra is shorter in women, so the bacteria don’t have far to go.

Women of all age groups and with all different medical conditions, as well as healthy women, can suffer from cystitis. People with diabetes and spinal cord injuries are also at greater risk of developing a UTI.

What can I do to prevent urinary tract infections?

Whether you’re prone to UTIs or one infection was more than you could handle, you may wonder what you can do to prevent another occurrence. The most important thing to prevent a UTI is to follow a healthy lifestyle, including eating well, exercising, sleeping, and managing stress as well as you can. Water should be your beverage of choice. Overhydration will not prevent or cure a UTI, so drinking in moderation is wise. When it comes to urination, sitting on the toilet and relaxing to allow the bladder to completely empty will help maintain bladder health. Wiping from front to back is a good practice. Whether or not this method is actually effective at avoiding contamination of the urethra, it seems sensible. If sex is a common cause of your UTIs, make it a routine to urinate after intercourse. If you are getting frequent UTIs, we at Total Urology Care of New York are here to help you figure out how to manage them.

What is PCR molecular testing for UTIs?

PCR molecular testing identifies the DNA of the bacteria that is causing your symptoms. The test is performed in our CLIA-certified, in-office, high-complexity lab. Results come within the same day of running the test. This technology changes the way UTIs have been treated. Waiting three to five days to get the specifics on how to treat your infection effectively is now a thing of the past. With PCR testing you get a same-day result and targeted treatment. Through this method of bacterial identification, in our on-site laboratory, you can cut down days of antibiotic use while eliminating ineffective antibiotics. Everything you need to treat your UTI is at Total Urology Care of NY.

How does PCR molecular testing for UTIs work?

Through molecular chemical techniques, PCR testing identifies the DNA of the pathogen causing the infection, and the appropriate antibiotic needed to treat it. Total Urology Care of NY offers an on-site, high-complexity PCR lab for patients with UTIs. In other words, a rapid PCR test at TUC delivers patients same-day results so you can get the right antibiotic and quickly get back to your life without pain, frequency, and irritation brought on by UTIs.