Diagnosis and treatment of infections of the urinary tract.

: Infection of the urinary tract is life-threatening, particularly in the patient who is already critically ill. Avoidance of instrumentation, meticulous catheter care, and frequent bacterial screening are required. Prophylactic antibiotics should probably be avoided in favor of rapid, adequate treatment with the indicated antibiotic when infection is identified. Suprapubic aspiration of urine is a significant advance in diagnosis, providing rapid, accurate information with no increased risks.