Urinary Tract Infections: Diagnosis and Clinical Management

A urinary tract infection (UTI) refers to an infection of the urinary tract. When it affects the upper urinary tract, it is termed as a kidney infection and when it affects the lower urinary tract, it is called a bladder infection. Some of the symptoms of a UTI are flank pain and fever, pain or burning while urinating and the persistent need to urinate despite having an empty bladder. A UTI can be diagnosed based on symptoms alone. However, urinalysis and urine microscopy can give a definitive proof of a UTI. It can usually be treated with a small course of antibiotics, such as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and nitrofurantoin. In some cases, it may require a longer course of intravenous antibiotics. This book unravels the recent studies in the diagnosis and clinical management of urinary tract infections. It will also provide interesting topics for research, which interested readers can take up. It is appropriate for students seeking detailed information in this area as well as for experts.