Urine Infection

What is a urinary tract infection?

An infection is the process in which a pathogenic microorganism, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites, invades another called host and spreads within the organism. Urinary tract infections are those that affect the kidneys, ureters, urethra and bladder, although most occur in the lower urinary tract: the bladder and urethra. Infection of the kidneys (pyelonephritis) is less common, but more serious. In men, prostate and testicles may also be affected.

Women are at greater risk of contracting a urinary tract infection than men and many suffer more than one during their lifetime. In 2% of patients it can be very frequent, forcing them to take preventive measures. The main reason why women suffer more UTIs than men is because women have a shorter urethra, shortening the distance bacteria must travel to reach the bladder. Also, some contraceptives and menopause have been described as risk factors.

It is important to treat urinary tract infections, not only to palliate the symptoms of urinary tract infection, but also to avoid complications such as recurrent infections, kidney damage, urethral strictures in men, or sepsis, which is a life-threatening complication of an infection that can occur especially if the infection spreads through the urinary tract to the kidneys.

When the urinary tract infection affects the bladder, it can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as pain or burning when urinating, feeling the need to urinate frequently even though the bladder is empty, bleeding in the urine, pressure or cramping in the lower abdomen, among others. When the infection affects the kidneys, symptoms may be more severe, such as fever, chills, nausea or vomiting, or pain in the lower back or side.

Most urinary tract infections can be treated at home with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. However, some cases may require treatment in the hospital.

How to prevent urinary tract infection?

Urinary tract infections can limit daily activities, as some people do not want to go to the pool or the beach, do not want to go on excursions or restrict their sex life. To reduce the risk of suffering a urinary tract infection, some measures can be taken, such as:

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water: drinking water will help you urinate more frequently, allowing you to flush bacteria out of the urinary tract before the infection can start.
• Wash from front to back after urinating and defecating: this will prevent bacteria from the anal region from spreading to the vagina and urethra.
• Empty your bladder after sex and drink a full glass of water to help flush out bacteria.
• Change your method of birth control. Diaphragms or condoms without lubricant or with spermicide can contribute to bacterial growth.

Types of urinary tract infections according to their location

• Bladder infection (cystitis).
  When the infection occurs in the bladder, the organ that stores urine before it is expelled. This infection occurs mainly in women due to their anatomy, since there is proximity between the urethra and the anus as well as a shorter length of the urethra than in men. This type of infection is usually caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, a type of bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract that is usually found on the skin around the vagina and can pass into the urinary tract and up into the bladder.
• Infection of the urethra (urethritis).
  When the infection is in the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. As above, it can occur when bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract spread from the anus to the urethra. It can also be caused by sexual transmission (such as herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and mycoplasma).
• Kidney infection (pyelonephritis).
  When the infection affects the kidney. Sometimes, if a bladder infection is not treated, it can spread to the kidneys, causing a more serious problem that can even cause permanent damage.