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Health Conditions
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Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
What causes it?
The most common cause of uncomplicated UTIs is a bacterium called Escherichia coli, or E. coli. Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are other bacteria that can cause UTIs. E. coli is also the most common cause of complicated UTIs, although many other organisms can be involved, for example, Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans, a fungus. Treatment for a UTI caused by a fungus would be different than that for a bacterial UTI.
Bacteria cause infection in two ways: they release toxins that harm and kill body cells, and they provoke the immune system, leading to inflammation, which can in itself be harmful and uncomfortable for the affected individual.
In many cases, the body's own defense mechanisms are capable of repelling attacks by invading microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. But if the bacteria multiplies to the point where the body's natural defenses cannot fight it, antibiotics may be needed to either destroy the bacteria completely or kill enough of them so the immune system can finish the job.
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Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your condition once it has been diagnosed.
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Bacteria release toxins that enter cells and kill them.
What causes it?
