WHO gets a Urinary Tract Infection?

Image of Grandmother and her Granddaughter courtesy of Daniel Zehle

The risks of a urinary tract infection (UTI) are different from one person to another. For example, people with urinary problems caused by a kidney stone or enlarged prostate have higher chances of getting a urinary tract infection.

There are many possibilities to catch an infection, but most exposed are people who use catheters or tubes placed in the urinary system, more exactly in the urethra and bladder. That's why the catheter should be removed as quickly as possible and should be kept clean.

Also exposed to infection are diabetics because of the weakness of their immune systems. Children born with urinary problems are also exposed as are women who use diaphragms. Studies show that urinary tract infections are seen most frequently in women. The reason is not known but specialists share with us a possible explanation: because of the size and position of a woman's urethra it is a lot easier for bacteria to get to the bladder.

A small percentage of pregnant women develop UTIs. Specialists believe that it is highly possible for the bacteria to travel to the kidneys because of the changes of pregnancy shifts the position of  the urinary tract.  Periodic testing is done during the pregnancy because of this potential.

Burning and painful feelings when urinating are symptoms of UTI, along with pain of the urethra and bladder. A small quantity of urine is being eliminated each time, despite the urge to urinate. The look of urine is rather strange, its color being unclear or sometimes reddish if blood is present. Fever, back pain and vomiting are frequently symptoms of kidney infection.

Children present somewhat differently from adults with moodiness, fever and  lack of appetite.  A referral to a specialist is important in the case of a child with a urinary tract infection.

After a laboratory urine test, doctors can can make a diagnosis. The urine is examined for bacteria, which are grown later and tested against many kinds of treatments to finally decide for a proper one that can surely help. If this treatment does not help and the infection continues, extra tests like intravenous pyelogram or cystoscopy are necessary. The first one shows x-ray images with the bladder, kidneys and uterus. The film can spot even the smallest changes of the tract. Cystoscopy is a procedure that helps the doctor to see inside the bladder from the urethra with the help of the cystoscope. The cystoscope is a medical instrument made of a thin tube with several lenses and a light source.

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References in this blog are meant for information only and if you have a condition of concern, please consult with your trusted health care provider.