URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS (UTI)

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URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS.

Know Your Health - Mosely'KYH
UTI is most cause of difficult in urination

Urinary tract infections are among the most common health problem in community that affects urinary (renal) system (kidney, ureter, bladder and urethra). Infections of the urinary tract can categorized into two based on anatomical position:
  • Lower tract infection (cystitis and urethritis)
  • Upper tract infection ( acute pyelonephritis and sometimes prostatitis, intra-renal and peri-nephric infection).
Infections at these site may develop together or independently and may manifest with symptoms or may be asymptomatic.

Know Your Health - Mosely'KYH
renal system

CAUSES OF URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS.

UTI can occur when bacteria enter urinary system and infect any part of  the system, the most common is bladder (cystitis) sometime infection can spread into kidney and cause acute pyelonephritis. There are many micro-organisms that infect urinary tract but the most common agents are the gram negative bacilli (Escherichia coli cause about 80% of acute infection, other Proteus species and Klebsiella species, there are other bacteria (Serratia species and Pseudomonas species) that are responsible for recurrent UTI). 
Gram positive cocci (Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis  ) count for lesser cause of UTI.

RISK FACTORS OF URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS.

Due to anatomical position women are at a higher risk of getting UTI compared to men because their urethra is shorter and closer to the anus, it easier for microorganisms to enter the urinary system. Factors that can increase risk for a UTI include:

  • Pregnancy
  • Urinary tract obstruction (due to kidney stone, stricture, prostatic enlargement and tumor)
  • Gender and sexual activity
  • Advance age
  • suppressed immune-system 
  • Genetic factor (runs through family)
  • Urethral cathetaliztion
  • History of UTI (previous UTI)
  • Vesicoureteral reflux (abnormal back flow of urine from bladder to ureter) - most in children

SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS OF URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS.

Symptoms of urinary tract infections depend on which part of renal system is infected:
  1. Lower urinary tract infections symptoms
  • Difficult in passing urine (dysuria)
  • Urgent and frequent urination
  • Lower abdominal pain (supra-pubic pain)
  • Gross cloudy and bad smelling urine and sometime blood or pus in urine
  • Fever
  • Nausea and vomiting
     2. Upper urinary tract infections symptoms
  • Fever and chills
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Abdominal pain and diarrhoea

TREATMENT OF URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS.

UTI is most cause by bacteria so it can be treated with antibiotics depends on cause, site and severity of infections. Antibiotics such as Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, Nitrofurantoin, Quinolone, Amoxicillin, ampicillin, Gentamicin and cetftriaxone are effective for the treatment of UTI.
NB: (For dose prescription of these Drugs please see your Doctor).
Though Virus and fungus may cause UTI in a small fraction, viral infection can be treated with Antiviral while fungal infections can be treated with anti-fungal.

PREVENTION OF URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS.


Know Your Health - Mosely'KYH
drink plenty of water to avoid UTI

Personal hygiene habits is a most preventive measure for recurrent UTI. Below are some preventive suggestions:

  • Make sure you urinate before and after sexual activity
  • Drink plenty of water and urinate regularly
  • Minimize douching, and per vaginal examination


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