Lower urinary tract infection in non-pregnant, immunocompetent woman with normal anatomy.
Also known as: acute cystitis, uncomplicated UTI, lower UTI, bladder infection
Overview
Inflammation and infection of the bladder mucosa, typically caused by ascending bacterial infection. 'Uncomplicated' refers to cystitis in non-pregnant, premenopausal women with no functional or structural urinary tract abnormality and no relevant comorbidities. All other cases (men, pregnancy, catheter, anatomic abnormality, immunocompromise, pyelonephritis) are 'complicated.'
Epidemiology
Among the most common bacterial infections — ~50% of women experience at least one UTI in their lifetime. Peak incidence in sexually active women aged 18-30 and postmenopausal women. Rare in healthy men under 50.
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Uropathogens (most commonly uropathogenic E. coli, ~80%) ascend from the urethra into the bladder. Bacterial adhesins (fimbriae) attach to uroepithelial cells; invasion triggers inflammatory response with neutrophil infiltration. Symptoms reflect bladder mucosal irritation rather than systemic illness.
Clinical presentation
Symptoms
Dysuria (burning with urination)
Urinary frequency, urgency
Suprapubic pain or discomfort
Cloudy or malodorous urine; sometimes gross hematuria
Absence of fever, flank pain, or systemic symptoms (presence suggests pyelonephritis)
Signs / physical exam
Often unremarkable exam
Mild suprapubic tenderness on palpation
Absence of CVA tenderness, fever, or hemodynamic compromise
Pelvic exam if vaginitis or STI suspected
Classic findings
Sexually active young woman with sudden dysuria, frequency, and urgency without vaginal discharge or fever — empiric treatment without urine culture is reasonable.
Urethritis (STI) — Gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomonas; sexually active patient, partner symptoms, sterile pyuria with negative routine culture
Vaginitis — Vaginal discharge, pruritus, dyspareunia; positive wet prep, KOH, or whiff test
Interstitial cystitis — Chronic pelvic pain, urinary frequency without infection, negative cultures
Overactive bladder — Frequency, urgency without infection; positive bladder diary
Bladder cancer — Older patients (smokers), painless gross hematuria, recurrent 'UTI' with negative culture
Diagnostic workup
Diagnostic criteria
Clinical diagnosis based on symptoms (dysuria, frequency, urgency, suprapubic pain) supported by pyuria. Urine culture with ≥10^5 CFU/mL (or ≥10^3 CFU/mL with symptoms) confirms but is often not necessary for treatment initiation in classic cases.
Labs
Urinalysis (dipstick or microscopy) — pyuria (>10 WBCs/HPF or positive leukocyte esterase), bacteriuria, nitrites (gram-negative bacteria reduce nitrate to nitrite)
Urine culture — not required in uncomplicated cystitis with classic symptoms but recommended in: recurrent UTI, treatment failure, complicated UTI, pregnancy, men, suspected pyelonephritis
Beta-hCG in women of reproductive age if treatment selection or pyelonephritis concern
STI testing (NAAT for GC/CT) if sexually active and risk factors
Imaging
Not required for uncomplicated cystitis
Imaging (US or CT) considered for recurrent, complicated, or treatment-resistant UTI to evaluate for stones, abscess, anatomic abnormality
Diagnostic algorithm
Antibiotic
Dose / Duration
Notes / Cautions
Nitrofurantoin
100 mg PO BID × 5 days
Avoid if eGFR <30, pyelonephritis suspected, near term pregnancy
TMP-SMX
1 DS tab PO BID × 3 days
Avoid if local resistance >20% or prior 3-month use; avoid in 1st trimester and near term
Fosfomycin
3 g PO × 1 dose
Single dose; less effective than 5-day regimens
Cephalexin
500 mg PO BID × 5-7 days
Second-line; safe in pregnancy
Amoxicillin-clavulanate
500 mg PO BID × 5-7 days
Second-line; safe in pregnancy
Fluoroquinolones
Reserve for pyelonephritis or complicated UTI
FDA black box for uncomplicated cystitis
IDSA-recommended antimicrobial regimens for acute uncomplicated cystitis in adult women.
Treatment
First-line
Nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals 100 mg PO BID × 5 days (avoid if eGFR <30 or pyelonephritis suspected)
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) DS PO BID × 3 days — use only if local resistance <20% and patient not exposed in prior 3 months
Fosfomycin 3 g PO × 1 dose — convenient single dose; less effective than 5-day regimens
Avoid fluoroquinolones for uncomplicated cystitis (FDA black box; reserve for complicated UTI/pyelo)
Symptomatic relief: phenazopyridine (Pyridium) for dysuria — ≤2 days, warn about orange urine; avoid in G6PD deficiency
Second-line / adjunct
Beta-lactams (amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefpodoxime, cefdinir) — second-line; less effective than first-line agents
For recurrent UTI: postcoital prophylaxis, continuous low-dose prophylaxis (nitrofurantoin, TMP-SMX), or self-start therapy
Postmenopausal women: vaginal estrogen for recurrent UTI (reduces frequency)
Cranberry products — modest evidence; not a replacement for antibiotics in acute UTI
Pregnancy: cephalexin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, nitrofurantoin (NOT in 1st trimester or near term), or fosfomycin; AVOID TMP-SMX in 1st trimester and near term; AVOID fluoroquinolones
Complications
Progression to pyelonephritis if untreated or treatment failure
Recurrent UTI (re-infection or relapse)
Pregnancy: untreated UTI increases risk of pyelonephritis (up to 30%), preterm labor, low birth weight
Antibiotic-associated complications: C. difficile colitis, allergic reactions, antimicrobial resistance
Rare: bacteremia/urosepsis in compromised hosts
PANCE pearls
Classic dysuria + frequency in a young healthy woman without vaginal symptoms can be treated empirically without urinalysis or culture (per IDSA).
Nitrites positive = gram-negative organism reducing nitrate; absence does NOT exclude UTI (gram-positives like Staph saprophyticus and Enterococcus don't produce nitrites).
Asymptomatic bacteriuria should be treated ONLY in: pregnancy and before urologic procedures with mucosal trauma. Do NOT treat asymptomatic bacteriuria in elderly, diabetics, catheter, or general population.
Pyuria without bacteriuria (sterile pyuria) = consider urethritis (STI), TB, interstitial cystitis, or partially treated UTI.
In men, any UTI is considered complicated and warrants culture, longer treatment (7-14 days), and evaluation for underlying cause (BPH, prostatitis, stones).
References
IDSA 2011 — International Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Acute Uncomplicated Cystitis and Pyelonephritis (Gupta et al., CID 2011)
AUA/CUA/SUFU 2022 — Recurrent Uncomplicated UTI in Women: AUA/CUA/SUFU Guideline (Anger et al., J Urol 2022)
USPSTF 2019 — Screening for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Adults: USPSTF Recommendation Statement (Owens et al., JAMA 2019)
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