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Urinary Tract Infections: Pharmacists Module 4, 2022
Urinary tract infections are common in community practice worldwide and are usually caused by Escherichia coli, which is responsible for approximately 80 % of all UTIs.
Most UTIs in women are acute uncomplicated cystitis or ‘bladder infections’, which may not be considered a serious condition but can significantly affect the patient’s quality of life. UTIs among women are extremely common, particularly during the reproductive years.
Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection of the kidney. In 95% of cases, the cause is the ascension of bacteria through the urinary tract to the kidney. Pyelonephritis is a serious infection with the risk of bacteraemia (the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream).
UTIs are becoming increasingly difficult to treat, owing to the rapid spread of drug resistance among causative organisms.
This module discusses urinary tract infections, focusing on acute cystitis and pyelonephritis in women. After completing this module, you will:
- Know the risk factors for UTIs in women.
- Be able to recognise the symptoms of UTIs and refer patients to the doctor, if necessary.
- Understand the role of urinalysis using urine dipstick testing and be able to explain what positive and negative results mean, referring patients for further evaluation as appropriate.
- Be able to give advice about the OTC management of UTI symptoms.
- Be able to play a key role in ensuring appropriate antibiotic selection and use for the treatment of community-acquired UTIs.
