When the urinary tract gets contaminated with bacteria the symptoms of this bacterial population in the body become visible. There are a lot of germs that can develop in the urinary tract but only one seems to be encountered quite frequent when analyzing a urinary tract infection: Escherichia Coli.

You might ask yourself how this bacterium ends up inside the urinary tract. Well, things are quite simple. Thanks to its anatomical structure this bacterium can migrate from the anus and vagina areas up the urethra and begin its development and multiplication.

A lot of factors are involved in the process of urinary tract infection: sexual activity which can ease the bacteria migration towards the urinary system; urine incontinence; diabetes; urinating incompletely (this means that a small amount of urine is left inside the bladder and germs will develop there), an enlarged prostate in men (this also blocks the urinary flux and germs will develop freely). Also, any change that occurs in the vaginal flora can ease the multiplication of Escherichia Coli.

Normally healthy people that have a great immune system can fight without medical help with this infection. Normally the urine can flush some of the existing bacteria in the urinary tract and the acid Ph or the urine will prevent any further growth of the intruders.

When the human organism can not control the multiplication of the bacteria symptoms of the urinary infection will install: high fever accompanied by chills, pain that starts from the back and goes down on the abdomen towards the genital area, an urge for urinating that can not be delayed, burning sensation when urinating, and sometimes even a bloody aspect of the urine.

Any doctor can diagnose a urinary tract infection based on the previously stated symptoms. Treatment is usually based on antibiotics. Some people feel much better after one or two days of taking the prescribed antibiotic. Even so, they should continue their treatment for the whole five or seven days their doctor told them as the bacteria can not be erased from the urinary tract only in two days.

As an alternative treatment it seems that strawberries and cranberries are working great. Vitamin C is also recommended for lessening the severity of the urinary tract infection.