A doctor has warned that persistent symptoms of a urine infection could indicate a more serious health issue. The problem could be ‘hidden’, resulting in normal medical test results.
Dr Ahmed, an NHS GP, took to TikTok to explain that these symptoms are not just figments of your imagination. If you’re often in pain when you use the toilet, this could be due to an embedded urinary tract infection (UTI).
This type of UTI, sometimes referred to as chronic or recurrent, happens when bacteria become trapped in the bladder wall, leading to ongoing inflammation. Dr Ahmed consulted with Dr Ased Ali, a consultant urologist and UTI specialist, who shared insights on the condition.
Speaking in a TikTok video, the expert said: “Once [the bacteria] is in the bladder wall, you can’t detect it. Where do you look? In the urine? If they’re inside the wall, they’re essentially hidden from that urine culture.”
He further explained that the bacteria might only be detected when the bladder wall cells shed, releasing the concealed bacteria back into the urine. Dr Ahmed also spoke with consultant urologist Dr Ased Ali, an expert on UTIs.
Dr Ali described this as the bacteria’s “evasive” strategy to avoid detection by the immune system and survive longer within the body. The difficulty in diagnosing chronic UTIs arises because urine tests may not always identify the infection, and the symptoms can mimic those of other conditions, reports the Mirror.
According to the NHS, symptoms of a UTI may include:
- pain or a burning sensation when urinating (dysuria)
- needing to urinate more often than usual – especially at night (known as nocturia)
- needing to urinate suddenly or more urgently than usual
- urinate that looks cloudy or has traces of blood
- lower stomach pain or pain in your back – just under the ribs
- a high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
The health service added to its list of warnings, stating that dark or smelly urine could be a symptom. If this is the only cause for concern, you could just be dehydrated – but always keep a close eye on potential signs and visit a doctor if they keep adding up.
In the UK, it’s estimated that up to 1.7 million women have chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) but the issue also affects men too. The huge difference comes down to one factor – UTIs are more common in women than men because women have shorter urethras, making them more susceptible to infection.
Chronic UTIs are typically treated with antibiotics initially, followed by a longer-term course of low-dose antibiotics to prevent a recurrence. Depending on the severity, this can last weeks or even months.
In the meantime, several simple measures can help alleviate pain and discomfort during the infection period. These include taking painkillers like paracetamol, ensuring you drink enough fluids to pass pale urine regularly throughout the day, and abstaining from sex.