Urinary tract infections are often seen in community settings and can be debilitating for patients, involving dysuria (painful urination), increased urinary frequency and urgency, suprapubic pain, haematuria (blood in the urine), and polyuria (excessive urine production). This article takes an in-depth look at these symptoms, as well as the diagnosis and management of this common problem, which mostly affects female patients.

Chetan Shah, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice/Public Health, University of Hertfordshire
Stephen Goundrey-Smith, Consultant Pharmacist, PDC Healthcare Ltd, Leicestershire