Urinary Tract Infection Prognosis

A urinary tract infection is a common type of infection found primarily in women. The urinary tract which is the structure that urine passes through before urination. The farther up the infection goes up the urinary tract, the more serious it is considered. A simple UTI will occur in a healthy urinary tract and will not spread to other parts. A simple UTI may not require treatment. A complicated UTI occurs when the body is resistant to antibiotics or when anatomic abnormalities spread to other parts of the body. This is usually seen in people with other medical conditions.

Facts

• A urinary tract infection can occur anywhere on the urinary tract. The bladder, kidneys, ureters which is the tube that takes the urine to the bladder from the kidney and urethra which is the tube that empties the urine from the bladder, are all a part of the urinary tract. A UTI is caused when bacteria gets into the urinary system and causes an infection. Women are more likely to become infected with a UTI than men and children.

Types

• The different types of urinary tract infection depend on the location of the infection. Cystitis is the most common type of UTI. It is infection of the bladder that occurs when bacteria invaded the urethra than enters the bladder. This is an infection to the lower urinary tract, which leads to inflammation. Pyelonephritis is the infection of either one or both kidneys or the surrounding areas. Due to certain bladder and prostate conditions in the elderly, they are more at risk of getting a UTI.

Identification

• A UTI is most commonly identified with pain or burning with urination, painful sexual intercourse and the urge to frequently urinate. Foul or strong urine odor, cloudy urine, low fevers and pressure in the lower pelvis are all signs of a UTI. Symptoms of an infection that has spread to the kidney may include chills and shaking, fatigue, side pain and high temperatures (over 102 Fahrenheit) for longer than two days. Severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting may also occur, and elderly patients may suffer from confusion.

Prevention/solution

• Certain lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of getting a UTI. Women should use sanitary pads instead tampons and change their pad with every visit to the bathroom. They should not use any products that contain perfume in the genital area. They should take showers and when taking a bath, avoid bath oils. A woman who gets frequent UTIs can help prevent them by urinating and cleaning her genitals (wiping from front to back) before and after intercourse. She should wear cotton underwear and avoid tight clothes. Drinking cranberry juice and water frequently will also help to flush out the system. Antibiotics are usually recommended to avoid the spread of the infection, although urinary tract infections may go away without treatment.

Significance

• Urinary tract infections are very common. They account for 8.3 million doctor visits each year and are the second most common body infection. One out of every five women are infected with a UTI in their lifetime. Although urinary tract infections are more common in women, they are more serious in men when they occur. An average of 20 percent of women who have had a UTI will have another. The chances of having another UTI after a second is raised by 30 percent and 80 percent of women that have had more than three urinary tract infections will continually have recurrences, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse.