RAPID TESTS FOR URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS

A urinary infection represents the most common disease of the urinary tract which includes the urethra, the bladder, the ureter and the kidneys. Men, women and children are likely to experience a urinary infection. It’s mostly women who suffer from urinary infections, since the short urethra favours the penetration of germs. However, elderly males are also affected if they have an enlarged prostate which obstructs the urine flow. In healthy people, urine is sterile (i.e. it doesn’t contain any micro-organisms). One of the best ways to keep your urinary tract sterile is to empty your bladder completely at regular intervals. Generally, an infection starts in the urethra and may then spread into the upper urinary tract as far as the kidneys. The symptoms vary considerably: burning when emptying the bladder, or a strong urge to urinate. The urine may also be cloudy or have a strong odour.