Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in seniors

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of part of the urinary tract which includes the urethra, bladder, ureter, and kidneys.

UTI’s are one of the most common infections in older adults with over 10% of women older than 65 years reporting one in the last 12 months.

Seniors have a higher incidence of UTI’s than younger adults and symptoms can be more severe.

Classical symptoms of a UTI can include;

• burning on urination

• going to the toilet more frequently

• urgency / the feeling of needing to urinate

• fever

• chills

• lower abdominal/pelvic pain

• back pain

• cloudy and/or smelly urine

• urinary incontinence/ leakage of urine

• blood in the urine

• fatigue

• nausea

Older adults however, are more likely to experience changes in behaviour such as confusion and agitation or may present with falls.