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Freundii Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infections are common, relatively harmless inflammations of the urinary system. They are caused when bacteria that is normally found in the intestinal tract or on the skin is spread into the urinary system. E. coli is the most common cause of urinary tract infections, but there are several other types of bacteria that can lead to urinary tract infections. One of those types is called Citrobacter freundii.

  1. Urinary Tract Infections

    • There are three types of urinary tract infections, classified by what part of the urinary tract they are affecting. The most serious type is called pyelonephritis and it involves infection of the kidneys and ureters. When the urinary tract infection affects the bladder, it is called cystitis. The most common type affects the urethra and is called urethritis. As a rule, the further up your urinary tract the infection has traveled, the more serious it is. Pyelonephritis is the most serious and requires the most treatment, while urethritis is often treated with home remedies.

    Citrobacter Freundii

    • Citrobacter freundii is a type of bacteria that can be found in water, feces and your intestines. It plays an important role in digestion. It rarely causes illness. However, when spread into your urinary system, it can cause infection. Wiping back to front after a bowel movement and normal sexual intercourse can both lead to Citrobacter freundii urinary tract infections.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of Citrobacter freundii urinary tract infections include a burning sensation when urinating. You may also notice an increase in the urge to urinate, even though you may only be able to let out a little at a time. In some cases, your urine may even contain blood. It can also just be darker or smellier than normal. You can even experience burning or pain in your lower back or pelvis.

    Diagnosis

    • To diagnose your Citrobacter freundii urinary tract infection, your health-care provider will ask you for a urine sample. Be sure to wash your hands and the area around your urethra to avoid contaminating the sample. Your urine will then be analyzed for the presence of bacteria, confirming that an infection is present. Then those bacteria will be removed and allowed to grow in a urine culture to confirm that the bacteria are indeed Citrobacter freundii. Sometimes, the cultivated bacteria from your urine are even used to test how effective drugs may be on your infection.

    Treatment

    • Most health-care providers will prescribe a prescription antibiotic for a Citrobacter freundii urinary tract infection. You should always tell your health-care provider if you are taking any other drugs or have any allergies so that he can tailor his prescription to avoid adverse reactions. It is also important to remember that you may feel relief from the infection symptoms very quickly. Even so, you must still take the prescription until it is gone to avoid recurring urinary tract infections. Always speak to your health-care provider if you have any concerns or side effects.

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