Do you suffer from recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) or have symptoms?

Nearly 1 in 3 women will develop a UTI before the age of 24 and up to 250,000 Australians develop a UTI each year.

It is estimated that about 25% of women who have had a UTI will experience another within 12 months.

Symptoms of a UTI include:

• burning when passing urine
• needing to urinate more frequently
• pain in the lower abdomen
• smelly, cloudiness or blood in your urine

Other more severe symptoms can include:

Fever, loin pain, nausea, vomiting. In elderly patients, confusion may be the only presenting symptom

Risk factors:

Women are more prone to developing UTIs because in women the urethra is shorter. This makes it much easier for bacteria to enter the bladder.

Other risk factors include – being pregnant, postmenopausal, having multiple sexual partners, having compromised immune system (ie uncontrolled diabetes), prostate enlargement (in males), indwelling catheters, constipation and a family history of UTIs.

Most UTIs are caused by a bacterium called E. coli (most commonly spread from the anal area).

Other causes such as mycoplasma and chlamydia are spread due to sexual transmission.

How you can prevent UTIs:

• Make sure you drink plenty of water (around 2 litres or 8 glasses a day)
• Getting treatment for vaginal infections such as thrush
• Going to the toilet regularly or when you feel you need to urinate
• Wiping from front to back after going to the toilet
• Avoiding becoming constipated
• Cranberries can also be used to prevent UTIs. This can be in the form of Cranberry tablets or Cranberry juice.

It is important to seek medical attention if you think you may have a UTI. If picked up and treated early this can prevent a more serious infection affecting your bladder and kidneys.

Further information regarding UTIs and prevention can be found here:

https://kidney.org.au/your-kidneys/detect/urinary-tract-infections

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/urinary-tract-infections-uti

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/urinary-tract-infection-uti

Here at AusTrials we are studying a new, first in class antibiotic for the treatment of uncomplicated UTIs. For more information regarding this trial please contact us on 07 3278 5255 or 07 3517 0520, or email info@momentumclinicalresearch.com.au.

Potential participants under 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or a legal guardian at all study visits, who must consent to study participation.