Burning urination, frequent urges and pelvic discomfort are often dismissed as a routine urinary tract infection (UTI). But when symptoms persist, recur frequently or fail to respond to appropriate treatment, they may need a closer look, say Dr Khizar Raoof Mohammed, head minimal invasive urology and robotic surgery, KIMS-Arete Hospital and MD Dr Raoof’s Urocare and Dr Mallikarjuna C, managing director, chief consultant urologist & robotic surgeon, AINU.
When UTI may not be straightforward
Burning urination, frequent urges, cloudy or strong-smelling urine and lower-abdominal discomfort are common UTI symptoms. Dr Mallikarjuna recommends urine testing and culture, preferably before antibiotics, to confirm infection and guide treatment. Fever, chills, vomiting or back/side pain may signal kidney involvement. In men and children, UTIs also warrant assessment for stones, blockage or other abnormalities. Dr Khizar notes that frequency and urgency without burning or fever may point to overactive bladder or other causes, including high caffeine intake, diabetes or pelvic organ prolapse.
Warning signs
Certain symptoms should not be dismissed as another UTI. Blood in the urine is a key red flag—persistent haematuria after treatment needs evaluation, while even one episode of painless blood should not be ignored. Other warning signs include unexplained weight loss, persistent pelvic, side or bone pain, a weak urinary stream and incomplete bladder emptying.
Symptoms keep returning
Recurrent symptoms need more than repeated antibiotics. Dr Khizar recommends further evaluation if symptoms persist, return despite culture-guided treatment, or worsen with fever or chills. Ultrasound or CT may identify stones, blockage or kidney involvement. Dr Mallikarjuna defines recurrent UTI as two or more episodes in six months or three or more in a year. Depending on the case, evaluation may include urine culture, imaging or cystoscopy.
Could it be cancer?
A UTI does not cause cancer, but some urinary cancers can mimic infection. Persistent or unexplained blood in the urine needs evaluation. Dr Khizar notes that urinary symptoms with a raised PSA may warrant prostate cancer evaluation, though PSA alone cannot diagnose cancer. Dr Mallikarjuna says bladder and kidney cancers can sometimes present as recurrent, presumed UTIs when the underlying cause remains unidentified.
Women’s health
Dr B Radhika, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Laparoscopic Surgeon & Infertility Specialist, says vaginal or hormonal changes, sexually transmitted infections and other gynaecological conditions can produce UTI-like symptoms. “The important question is not simply, ‘Do I have a UTI?’ but, ‘Has the infection actually been confirmed, and if not, what else could be causing these symptoms?’” she says. “When symptoms keep returning, do not settle after treatment, or occur repeatedly without a confirmed infection, we need to look deeper.”
COULD IT BE SOMETHING ELSE?
Urinary frequency and urgency are not always caused by infection.
Possible causes include:
l Overactive bladder
l High caffeine intake
l Poorly controlled diabetes
l Pelvic organ prolapse
l Urinary stones
l Prostate enlargement
l Urinary obstruction
WHEN A UTI NEEDS MORE THAN ANTIBIOTICS
Look closer if:
l Symptoms keep returning
l Antibiotics based on an appropriate urine culture do not work
l There is blood in the urine
l Fever, chills or worsening pain develops
l Symptoms occur in men or children
l There is a history of stones, blockage or prostate problems
In women, hormonal changes, vaginal infections and other gynaecological conditions can sometimes cause burning, irritation, frequency or urgency that feels like a UTI. When these symptoms keep recurring, we should consider whether the problem is actually gynaecological.”
— Dr B Radhika
Urinary symptoms accompanied by a raised PSA may prompt evaluation for prostate cancer, although an elevated PSA does not by itself diagnose cancer.”
— Dr Khizar Raoof Mohammed
Bladder and kidney cancers can sometimes masquerade as recurrent UTIs when the underlying cause has not been established.”
— Dr Mallikarjuna C
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
