Urine Infection (cont.)
Medical Author:
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhDDr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications. Medical Editor:
Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP
Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEPDr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident. In this Article
 What are possible complications of a urinary tract infection (UTI)?
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Most UTIs cause no complications if they spontaneously resolve quickly (a few days) or if treated early in the infection with appropriate medications. However, there are a number of complications that can occur if the UTI becomes chronic or rapidly advances. Chronic infections may result in urinary strictures, abscesses, fistulas, and kidney damage. Rapid advancement of UTIs can lead to dehydration, kidney failure, sepsis, and death. Pregnant females with untreated UTIs may develop premature delivery and a low birth weight for the infant and run the risks of rapid advancement of the infection. What is the prognosis for a urinary tract infection (UTI)?A good prognosis is usual for spontaneously resolved and quickly treated UTIs. Even patients that have rapidly developing symptoms and early pyelonephritis can have a good prognosis if quickly and adequately treated. The prognosis begins to decline if the UTI is not quickly recognized or treated. Elderly and immunosuppressed patients may not have the UTI recognized early; their prognosis may range from fair to poor, depending on how much damage is done to the urinary tract or if complications like sepsis occur. Like adults, most adequately treated children will have a good prognosis. Children and adults with recurrent UTIs may develop complications and a worse prognosis; recurrent UTIs may be a symptom of an underlying problem with the urinary tract structure. These patients should be referred to a specialist (urologist) for further evaluation. Reviewed by Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP on 2/1/2013 Patient CommentsViewers share their comments
Urinary Tract Infection In Adults - Symptoms
Question: What were the symptoms of your urinary tract infection?
Urinary Tract Infection In Adults - Home Remedies
Question: What kinds of home remedies have you used in addition to the treatments prescribed by your doctor?
Urinary Tract Infection In Adults - Complications
Question: What complications did you experience with urinary tract infection (UTI)?
Urinary Tract Infection In Adults - Antibiotics
Question: What antibiotics have been effective in treating urinary tract infections (UTIs)?
Urinary Tract Infection In Adults - Effective Treatments
Question: What kinds of treatments have been effective for your urinary tract infection?
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