A catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is one of the most common infections a person can contract in the hospital. Indwelling catheters are the cause of this infection. An indwelling catheter is a tube inserted into your urethra. It drains urine from your bladder into a collection bag. You may need a catheter if you have had surgery or cannot control your bladder function, and there is a need to closely monitor how much urine your kidneys are producing.

A CAUTI has similar symptoms to a typical urinary tract infection (UTI). These include:

• cloudy urine
• blood in the urine
• strong urine odor
• urine leakage around your catheter
• pressure, pain, or discomfort in your lower back or stomach
• chills
• fever
• unexplained fatigue
• vomiting

CAUTIs can be difficult to diagnose in if you are already hospitalized because similar symptoms may be part of your original illness. In elderly people, changes in mental status or confusion can be signs of a CAUTI.

If you have a catheter and notice any localized discomfort, tell your nurse or doctor right away.

Bacteria or fungi may enter your urinary tract via the catheter. There they can multiply, causing an infection.

There are a number of ways infection can occur during catheterization. For example:

• the catheter may become contaminated upon insertion
• the drainage bag may not be emptied often enough
• bacteria from a bowel movement may get on the catheter
• urine in the catheter bag may flow backward into the bladder
• the catheter may not be regularly cleaned

Clean insertion and removal techniques can help lower the risk of a CAUTI. Daily catheter care is required as well. Catheters shouldn’t be left in longer than needed, as longer use is associated with a higher risk of infection.

A CAUTI is diagnosed using a urine test. Urinalysis can detect blood cells in your urine. Their presence may signal an infection.

Another useful test is a urine culture. This test identifies any bacteria or fungi in your urine. Knowing what caused the infection can help your doctor treat it.

Sometimes, your bladder doesn’t move urine out of your body quickly enough. This can happen even with a catheter. Retained urine is more likely to grow bacteria. Infection risk increases the longer urine stays in your bladder. Your doctor may recommend an imaging test of your bladder, such as an ultrasound scan, to see if you’re retaining urine.

Prompt treatment of a CAUTI is essential. An untreated UTI can lead to a more serious kidney infection. In addition, people with catheters may already have conditions that compromise their immune systems. Fighting off a CAUTI can cause further immune system stress. This makes you more vulnerable to future infections.