UTI / Pyelonephritis

Genitourinary · ~4% of blueprint

Pathophysiology: Ascending bacterial infection (usually E. coli); cystitis (bladder) vs. pyelonephritis (kidney).
Signs & Symptoms: Cystitis: dysuria, frequency, urgency. Pyelonephritis adds fever, flank/CVA pain, and N/V.
Gold Standard Diagnosis: Urinalysis (pyuria, nitrites, leukocyte esterase) + urine culture (gold standard).
First-line Treatment: Uncomplicated cystitis: nitrofurantoin or TMP-SMX; pyelonephritis: fluoroquinolone or ceftriaxone.

High-Yield Pearl

Nitrites + leukocyte esterase on UA strongly suggest UTI; culture confirms and guides therapy.