Urinary tract infection is the name given to various mucosal inflammations of the urinary tract. These include those organs that transport the urine from the kidneys to the outside (ureter, urinary bladder and urethra). Most often, the bacteria rise from the urethra to the bladder and sometimes further towards the kidneys. Here you read everything important about the different forms of urinary tract infection. A urinary tract infection almost always occurs as a so-called ascending infection. That is, the pathogens enter the body through the outer opening of the urethra and affect the urinary tract in the following order:
Order of urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infection – common causes
In most cases, a urinary tract infection is triggered by intestinal bacteria, which pass from the anus into the outer urethra and then ascend into the genitourinary tract. Often a faulty hygiene after the toilet is responsible. In other cases, it comes to a urinary tract infection after unprotected intercourse
Urinary tract infection – special risk factors
Women are significantly more likely to develop a urinary tract infection. This is because women have a shorter urethra than men, which is why germs in them can easily get into the bladder. Especially young women are often affected by a urinary tract infection. Older people with a bladder catheter are also more likely to get urinary tract infections. Here the bacteria use the catheter like a “guide rail”.
In addition, children may be affected by a urinary tract infection. Especially in the diaper age, there is an increased risk of infection, since in a humid environment bacteria can multiply rapidly in a very short time. Other risk factors for urinary tract infections include a weakened immune system (for example, serious illnesses or anti-body-suppressing drugs), metabolic diseases (such as diabetes mellitus) and urinary tract disorders (for example, through urinary stones, tumors or an enlarged prostate).
Urinary tract infection – symptoms
The urinary tract infection, like most bacterial infections, causes redness and swelling of the tissue. Typical symptoms of urinary tract infection include pain and burning sensation in urination, blood in the urine, and a general malaise. In severe cases, the urinary tract infection may also be accompanied by fever and chills.
Many sufferers who repeatedly suffer from urinary tract infections, recognize the first signs of urinary tract infection early and can with the help of home remedies avert the impending cystitis yet.
Urinary tract infection – uncomplicated, complicated or asymptomatic?
Doctors distinguish the so-called uncomplicated urinary tract infection from the complicated urinary tract infection. A urinary tract infection is considered to be complicated if it occurs in certain groups of people or due to certain causes:
- in anatomical features in the area of the urinary tract (for example, narrowing of the urethra by scarring or tumors, etc.).
- as a urinary tract infection in children, men or pregnant women
- if the person has kidney stones and they may be the cause of the urinary tract infection
- if an immune deficiency or severe metabolic diseases (such as diabetes mellitus) are present
The distinction between complicated and uncomplicated urinary tract infection is important because the complicated urinary tract infection usually more serious (danger of a so-called urosepsis) and / or lengthy runs and must be treated differently.
Not always, however, an increase of bacteria in the urinary tract leads to disease symptoms. Doctors then speak of one asymptomatic bacteriuria.
Urinary tract infection – this is how it is detected
The doctor can usually diagnose “urinary tract infection” already based on the typical symptoms and by means of a urine test strip. The test strip detects various typical changes in the urine, such as the content of (parts of) red and white blood cells or certain products of the bacterial metabolism (nitrate).
In case of complicated or frequently recurring urinary tract infections (medical: recurrent urinary tract infections) further diagnostics are necessary. For this purpose, the bacteria responsible for the urinary tract infection are identified with so-called urine cultures and tested for their sensitivity to antibiotic treatment. In addition, in such cases, a cystoscopy (cystoscopy) can be performed to detect previously unrecognized pathological changes in the efferent urinary tract.
The urinary tract infection therapy depends on the cause. A urinary tract infection can heal itself depending on the degree and the defensive state of the body. If the body does not manage to fight the urinary tract infection with its immune system, a doctor should be consulted immediately, who will initiate appropriate treatment. Mostly antibiotics are used, which quickly cause a reliable healing in uncomplicated urinary tract infections. The complicated urinary tract infection is also treated with antibiotics, but the therapy takes longer and other antibiotics are used. For example, in pregnant women and children are allowed to treat a urinary infection only certain antibiotics are used