Does A UTI Always Cause Painful Urination?
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If you’re like most people, you probably think of burning or pain with urination being an unavoidable consequence of a UTI. In reality, many urinary tract infections do not cause painful urination, and some patients with UTIs are completely asymptomatic. Even without dysuria, UTIs can still be uncomfortable and even dangerous if left untreated. To help patients get relief from a wide range of UTI symptoms and avoid future infections, board-certified urologists Drs. Ahmad and Ali Kasraeian and the expert team at Kasraeian Urology in Jacksonville, FL provide the most current testing and treatment tools available today, including the breakthrough PCR test. Read on for a closer look at what symptoms you may experience with a UTI and how your urinary tract infection may be most effectively identified and treated to give you the rapid relief you deserve.
How do you get a UTI?
UTIs develop when bacteria enter the urinary tract via the urethra and travel to the bladder, kidney, or other structures in the urinary tract, and grow into an infection. While UTIs are more common in women than men, anyone of any age can develop a UTI. Some of most common causes and risks factors for UTIs include:
- Being female
- Poor hygiene
- Wearing thong/string underwear
- Sexual intercourse
- Incomplete bladder emptying
- Urinary retention
Can I have a UTI without pain?
Yes. Many patients develop painless UTIs, though most men and women will have at least one other common UTI symptom, such as fever, foul-smelling urine, or fatigue.
Recognizing the symptoms of a UTI
Although certain cases of urinary tract infection cause no symptoms, the majority of patients with a UTI will experience at least some symptoms, which may include:
- Pain with urination
- Burning with urination
- Stinging while urinating
- Pelvic pain
- Feeling of constantly needing to urinate
- Fever
- Chills
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue
- Feeling generally unwell
- Cloudy urine
- Foul-smelling or strong-smelling urine
If you suspect that your uncomfortable symptoms may be related to a urinary tract infection, our knowledgeable team can perform one or more of the following to confirm the presence of bacteria in your urine, identify which bacteria is causing your UTI, and determine the most appropriate antibiotic for you:
- Urinalysis
- Urine culture
- PCR test for urine culture
What happens if a UTI is left untreated?
Even if you aren’t experiencing significant pain or burning, it is still critical that your UTI is treated completely with a full course of the appropriate antibiotic. If left untreated, a UTI can continue to spread throughout your urinary tract, into the kidneys, and beyond, which can cause a number of severe symptoms and even life-threatening complications.
To help patients get the most accurate diagnosis of their urinary tract infection, Dr. Kasraeian often recommends the PCR test. This highly advanced tool offers same-day results and can identify which bacteria is causing the UTI and which antibiotics the pathogen may be sensitive or resistant to, ensuring the best possible chance for quick treatment and rapid relief.
Get faster, more accurate answers about your UTI symptoms with a PCR test in Jacksonville, FL
Whether you have intense burning on urination or simply don’t feel like yourself, you deserve accurate answers and rapid relief when it comes to your urinary tract infection. To learn more about the benefits of a PCR urine test and how to prevent future UTIs, call Kasraeian Urology in Jacksonville, FL to schedule your private consultation with board-certified urologists Dr. Ahmad Kasraeian or Dr. Ali Kasraeian today.