Urine Infection in women 

A Sneaky Trouble You Don't Want to Ignore!

Did you know that it is estimated that 1 in 3 women will experience a urinary tract infection (UTI) by the time they're 24? And as you get older, the chances go up! UTIs are one of the  most common bacterial infections seen in primary care, making up 1-3% of all visits. They're also the second most common reason for prescribing antibiotics in the community. But here's the kicker – unnecessary antibiotic use can lead to something called antimicrobial resistance, making future infections harder to treat.

While most UTIs are annoying, **upper UTIs** can cause serious issues like **renal failure** or **sepsis**. So, it's important to get the right diagnosis and treatment. The experts at NICE and Public Health England have teamed up to offer guidelines on both **lower** and **upper UTIs** (check out NG109, 2018, and the quick reference tool for primary care from 2020!).

One thing to remember: **Nitrofurantoin** is the go-to treatment for **uncomplicated UTIs**, especially as **bacterial resistance to trimethoprim** increases. 

**Important note**: This article focuses on UTIs in **non-pregnant women** – for those with pregnancy-related issues, we’ve got a separate article to guide you!

Stay informed, and don’t let UTIs catch you off guard!