How is urinary tract infections contracted?Angelfire is correct. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women are quite common and are treated with simple course of antibiotics. First time UTIs in men, and recurrent UTIs in women, however, need to be investigated further. Any number of ways- they are caused by an overgrowth of bacteria. Dehydration, chemical irritation (laundry soap, bubble bath, etc.), and sexual activity can often bring them on, but sometimes they just happen for no apparent reason. ive heard they can come from taking to many baths as a woman, also if you have sex with spermiside condoms alot i read that can cause it too A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection of the bladder, kidneys, ureters, or urethra. These structures make up the urinary tract. Most UTIs are either bladder infections (cystitis) or kidney infections (pyelonephritis).
UTIs, including kidney infections, are rarely serious when they occur in otherwise healthy adults. However, they do have the potential to cause permanent kidney damage or life-threatening infection if they are not treated promptly, especially in people who have medical conditions that may complicate the infection.
Causes:
Bacteria that enter the urethra and travel up the urinary tract are the usual cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Bacteria that normally live in the large intestine and are present in feces are the most common source of infection. Sexual intercourse may introduce bacteria into the urinary tract, especially in women. Catheters, which are small, flexible tubes inserted into the bladder to allow urine to drain, are a common source of bacterial infection in people who are hospitalized or live in long-term care facilities.
Occasionally bacteria traveling through the blood or lymph system cause kidney or bladder infections.
Kidney stones, an enlarged prostate in men, and structural problems in the urinary tract can contribute to UTIs by limiting the body's ability to eliminate urine completely.
Some women may be born with genes that make them more likely to get UTIs over and over again
Treatment Overview
Antibiotics can treat most urinary tract infections (UTIs) successfully. The goals of treatment for UTIs are to relieve symptoms, eliminate the infection and prevent recurrence, and prevent unlikely but serious complications such as kidney damage and sepsis. In pregnant women, treatment protects the unborn baby as well.
Initial treatment
Treatment for uncomplicated bladder infections in women usually is 3 days of antibiotics. Home treatment includes drinking a lot of water and fluids and urinating frequently, emptying your bladder each time. Additional testing is not necessary if your symptoms improve.
Oral antibiotics usually can treat kidney infections (pyelonephritis), although you may need brief hospitalization and a short course of intravenous (IV) antibiotics if you are too ill or nauseated to take medicine by mouth (oral medication). Kidney infections tend to make people more severely ill than bladder infections. Once you are feeling better, you may take oral antibiotics, typically for about 2 weeks. Your doctor probably will test your urine for bacteria after treatment to be certain you no longer have an infection.
The duration of antibiotic treatment for urinary tract infections (UTIs) may be longer and you may require further testing before and after treatment if you:
Are pregnant.
Are older than 65.
Have diabetes or an impaired immune system.
Are a man. UTIs in men typically require 1 to 2 weeks of antibiotics. Additional testing and treatment for prostate problems (such as prostatitis) or sexually transmitted diseases (such as chlamydia or gonorrhea) may be necessary.
Prevention steps for men and women
Drink plenty of water and other liquids each day. This helps ensure that you urinate frequently, which flushes bacteria from your urinary tract.
Urinate when you have the urge; don't hold your urine for a long time.
Avoid constipation.
Some people believe that drinking cranberry juice or taking vitamin C prevents urinary tract infections.
Prevention steps for women
Urinate immediately after sexual intercourse. This is the best protection women have against UTIs, because it helps prevent the introduction of bacteria into the urethra.
Avoid using a diaphragm or condoms coated with spermicide for birth control if your doctor believes they are causing you to develop UTIs.
Change sanitary napkins often.
Avoid douches, feminine hygiene sprays, and other feminine hygiene products with deodorant. These can alter the normal balance of organisms that help prevent infection.
Prevention step for men
Keep the tip of your penis clean, especially if you are uncircumcised. The foreskin can trap bacteria, which can then get into the urinary tract and cause infection.
That was graphic but its the info! it depends on many things.
the sex of the patient.
the hygiene status.
any abnormalities in the urinary tract.
the age of the patient.
all of the above and more play a role in causing or predisposing to infection or UTI(urinary tract infection).
for women,its commonly through the urethra.
for men it is commonly blood borne.
and it is caused by bacteria which by far is the commonest,especially E.COLI in upto 90% of the cases with some geographical variations.
viruses are also accused.
belharziasez also cause a type of bladder infection that might turn to cancer of the bladder if not treated.
and the list is long. What causes UTIs?
Many bacteria can cause UTIs in women, but the most common are Escherichia coli (E. coli), responsible for approximately 80 percent of UTIs. Normally, these bacteria reside in the gastrointestinal tract, but they also may be present in the vaginal and rectal areas, and on the skin of the perineum (the skin between the anus and the vagina). Infection begins when bacteria stick to the opening of the urethra and multiply. The closeness of the female urinary tract to these areas and the shorter length of the urethra make it more susceptible to infection.
Using a diaphragm for contraception can be an additional risk factor for getting a UTI. The diaphragm may press on the neck of the bladder, preventing it from emptying completely and leaving a pool of stagnant urine for bacteria to grow. Bacteria also may enter the urinary tract when the diaphragm is inserted and removed and when it is left in place longer than recommended.
Not all UTIs are a result of sexual activity.
Pregnancy & Childbirth
Hormonal changes during pregnancy and birth also are factors that may be associated with getting a UTI. If you are or think you are pregnant, you should see your doctor or other healthcare professional immediately if you have UTI symptoms. Do not take any medication without your healthcare professional's advice
Suppressed Immune System
Hormonal changes during pregnancy and birth also are factors that may be associated with getting a UTI. If you are or think you are pregnant, you should see your doctor or other healthcare professional immediately if you have UTI symptoms. Do not take any medication without your healthcare professional's advice.
Not Drinking Enough Fluids/Waiting to Urinate
If you don't drink enough fluids you tend to urinate less frequently, potentially promoting bacterial growth and thus urinary tract infections.
Catheters
Another common source of urinary tract infection is the catheter, a tube that is placed in the bladder to drain off urine when a patient is unconscious, very ill, recovering from surgery, or incontinent. About 900,000 UTIs are contracted in hospitals each year, and up to 90 percent of these infections are associated with indwelling catheters.
Other
Other causes of irritation to the genital area that may be associated with bladder infection include wearing tight jeans or pants, bike riding, perfumed soaps and powders, and even spicy food. BOY IF YOU WANT TO READ A BOOK I VOTE FOR JOIENEWS ANSWER.
CHANGE THE PH OF YOUR SYSTEM.. GET PH PAPER..
IT WILL GROW IF YOUR URINE IS NOT ACID ENOUGH.
REAL CRANBERRY JUICE HELPS...NOT THE SUGAR TYPE..GO TO A HEALTH STORE.
PEE AFTER ANY TYPE OF SEX.
TAKE PROBIOTICS..
IF IT GETS REAL BAD IT CAN INFECT YOUR KIDNEYS.....IF YOU GET REAL BAD PAIN LIKE IN THE KIDNEY AREA ...GO TO THE DOCTER...
AND YOU AND YOUR SEX PARTNER CAN PASS IT BACK AND FORTH..
TRY GARDEN OF LIFE FUNGAL DEFENSE....WORKS ON SOME BACT. INFECTIONS.
GOOD LUCK |
