As you learn about cUTIs, you may come across words and terms you don’t know. Here is a list of some common problems:
Antibiotic: drugs that kill bacteria to prevent their growth; is used to treat bacterial infections
Antibiotic resistance (AMR): When germs such as bacteria or fungi change (mutate), they may resist drugs that previously killed them or prevent them from reproducing. This is called AMR.
Bacteria: Very small (single-celled) organisms that are not visible to the naked eye
Bubble: The hollow, spherical organ that holds urine until you pee
Bloodstream infection: Infection in the blood
Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI): A urinary tract infection associated with wearing or using a urinary catheter is called CAUTI
Complicated urinary tract infection (cUTI): A urinary tract infection with symptoms that suggest it has spread beyond the bladder, including fever and pyelonephritis (kidney infection).
Cystitis: Inflammation of the bladder, often caused by a bladder infection
Dysuria: Discomfort, pain, or burning when peeing
Flank pain: Pain in the side of the body between the ribs and hips
Hematuria: Red blood cells (blood) in your urine
Lower urinary tract: The part of the urinary tract that includes your bladder and urethra (the tube that carries urine out of your body).
Pyelonephritis: A kidney infection
Recurrent urinary tract infections: Urinary tract infections that occur two or more times within six months or three times a year. Recurrent urinary tract infections are not necessarily cUTIs. Also called chronic urinary tract infections.
Sepsis: The body’s extreme response to infection; a life-threatening emergency
Systemic symptoms: These are symptoms that affect more than one part of your body beyond the bladder. These include fever, chills, low blood pressure or feeling very unwell.
Upper urinary tract: This part of the urinary tract includes your kidneys and the ureters (tubes that carry urine from your kidneys to your bladder).
Urinalysis: A test that checks urine for various substances, including blood and the presence of bacteria. However, it cannot be determined what type of bacteria is present.
Urinary catheter: A thin, flexible tube made of rubber or plastic that is inserted through the urethra to the bladder and allows urine to flow out
Urinary frequency: Peeing more often than usual (more than seven times in 24 hours)
Urinary incontinence: Accidental or unintentional discharge of urine, loss of bladder control
Urinary retention: The inability to completely empty the bladder
Urge to urinate: The very strong, sudden need to pee
Urine culture: A urine test that identifies bacteria and other germs in urine. If bacteria are found, tests can show which types of antibiotics are most likely to work.