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Women's Health: Urinary Tract Infection
WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
A urinary tract infection (also called a UTI) is an
infection of the bladder or kidneys. UTIs are more common among
women, especially those who are sexually active. They also
occur in men, however, particularly those over the age of 50.
It's possible to have repeated
infections.
Causes
Urinary tract infections are
caused by bacteria that travel up the urinary duct (urethra)
into the bladder. Among men, UTIs are more likely to develop
when an enlarged prostate gland cuts off the flow of urine,
causing it to stagnate and giving bacteria a chance to
multiply. Among women, sexual intercourse, pregnancy, diabetes,
or a past UTI all increase the chances of this kind of
infection. Women also increase their risk by wiping from back
to front after a bowel movement. Holding your urine rather than
urinating when you feel the need will also raise the odds of a
UTI.
Signs/Symptoms
Typical symptoms include a
frequent need to urinate with inability to pass more than a
small amount, pain and burning during urination, and dribbling
or leaking during the day and while asleep. After urinating,
you may still feel the urge; and you may need to urinate often
during the night. The urine may develop a foul odor or become
blood-specked. If the problem is in your kidneys, you may have
a pain in your abdomen or side accompanied by a fever and
nausea.
Treatment
Your doctor will have your urine
tested for bacteria. Antibiotics are prescribed to fight the
infection. Acetaminophen can be taken for
fever.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
Take antibiotics exactly as directed. Be sure to take
all the medication, even if your symptoms disappear. If you
stop treatment too soon, some bacteria may survive and
re-infect you.
-
Get plenty of rest. If you have a fever, stay in bed
until your temperature is normal (98.6 degrees F or 37
degrees C) and you feel better.
-
Drink 6 to 8 soda-can sized glasses of
fluids--especially water--every day to help flush out your
kidneys and wash out germs from your urinary tract.
Drinking cranberry juice or taking vitamin C will help make
your urine more acid and keep the infection under
control.
-
Urinate often--as soon as you feel the urge--and try
to empty your bladder completely each time. It is a good
idea to urinate before and after sex. Make sure that a
child with a UTI urinates at least 3 or 4 times a
day.
-
Avoid caffeine and alcohol during treatment; they
irritate the bladder.
-
Take showers rather than baths. Each day, wash the
genital area well with soap and water (use only water to
wash this area in children). Do not use bubble bath or bath
oils.
-
Women should remember to wipe from front to back
after urinating or having a bowel movement. This reduces
the chance of germs getting into the bladder. It's also
wise to wear underwear and pantyhose with a cotton
crotch.
-
If you have a kidney infection--also called
pyelonephritis (PIE-lo-nef-RY-ITS)--it is important to keep
your follow-up visit to make sure the infection is cured.
Otherwise, lingering infection could damage the
kidneys.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
You have a high
temperature.
-
You have blood in your
urine.
-
Your symptoms don't improve in a few
days.
-
You have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or a
rash.
-
You develop any new or unexplained symptoms. They may
be related to the medication you are
taking.
-
Your symptoms (especially fever) return after you
finish treatment.
Seek Care Immediately
If...
-
You start vomiting and can't keep down any fluids or
medicine.
-
You are unable to
urinate.
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