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The urinary tract consists of various parts that produce, store and get rid of urine. It comprises of the two kidneys, the two ureters, the bladder and the urethra. When blood passes through the kidneys, the waste products from the blood are removed, making up the urine which flows through the ureters into the urinary bladder and then pushed out through the urethra.
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What is a urinary tract infection?
The urinary tract can be infected by bacteria in two ways:
- By bacteria entering the kidneys from the blood and travelling down.
- By bacteria entering the urethra and travelling upward.
- By bacteria entering the kidneys from the blood and travelling down.
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What are the causes of UTI?
UTIs are caused by bacteria getting into the bladder from the kidneys. The following predispose to UTIs:
- In small children, the use of diapers is a very common contributing factor. If the child passes stool that is not cleaned for a long time, the stool that contains bacteria can be a source of infection. This is particularly true in small girls as compared to boys as their urethra is shorter and can be infected easily.
- In older children improper cleaning can also be a cause. Wiping back to front pulls stool into the vaginal area from where it can travel up.
- Long intervals between urination can be another cause as this weakens the bladder muscles. Some urine is left in the bladder that can be a source of infections.
- In women who are sexually active bacteria may be transferred from the anal and vaginal area to the urethra and then the bladder.
- If water intake is low, urination will be less and bacteria that might have entered the bladder will have more time to multiply and grow leading to infections.
- In small children, the use of diapers is a very common contributing factor. If the child passes stool that is not cleaned for a long time, the stool that contains bacteria can be a source of infection. This is particularly true in small girls as compared to boys as their urethra is shorter and can be infected easily.
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What are the symptoms?
- Frequent urination with only small amounts of urine.
- Burning or pain when urinating.
- Urine that smells bad or is cloudy or at times contains blood.
- Diarrhoea and vomiting.
- Lower back pain.
- Fever with chills and shivering.
How is the problem diagnosed and treated?
A sample of the urine is taken and analysed for the number of bacteria and white blood cells in it. A fresh sample of urine is taken. Usually the urine is collected in mid-stream and the container must not touch the genital organs. The sample is analysed soon after collection.
A UTI infection is usually treated by the use of antibiotics such as nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and certain penicillins such as amoxicillin. The urine culture can be repeated after 3-5 days to make sure that the antibiotic is working. The medicines should not be stopped till the infection is cleared completely.
How can a UTI be prevented?
What are the associated complications?
If an infection progresses it may lead to pyelonephritis or kidney infection resulting in scarring and damage to the kidney tissues and subsequent renal failure.
