URINARY TRACT INFECTION


          Urinary affect UTIs are some of the most common bacterial infections, affecting  150million infections people (UTIs) each are year some worldwide. About 40%  women infections, and 12% of men experience at least one symptomatic UTI during their lifetime, and as many as 40% of affected women show recurrent UTI. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of urinary system-kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract-the bladder and the urethra. Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than are men, since they have very short urethra. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common outpatient infections, with a lifetime incidence of 50-60% in adult women. Serious consequences can occur if a UTI spreads to the kidneys.

Symptoms and Signs

       Each type of UTI may result in more-specific signs and symptoms, depending on which part of your urinary tract is infected.

 

Parts of urinary tract affected                  

    kidneys (acute pyelonephritis) Signs and symptoms

        *Upper back and side (flank) pain

        *High fever

        *Shaking and chills

        *Nausea

        *Vomiting


    Bladder (cystitis) Signs and symptoms

        *Pelvic pressure

        *Lower abdomen discomfort

        *Frequent, painful urination

        *Blood in urine


    Urethra (urethritis) Signs and symptoms

        *Burning with urination

        *Discharge


Microscope examination of UTI patient urine

Causes 

         Urinary tract infections typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract t the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder. Although the urinary system is  designed to keep out such microscopic invaders, these defences sometimes fail. when that happens, bacteria may take hold and grow into a full-blown infection in the urinary tract. The most common UTIs occur mainly in women and affect the bladder and urethra. Escherichia coli (E. coli) from the gut is the cause of 80-85% of community-acquired urinary tract infections.


Risk Factors

Risk factors specific to women for UTIs include:

     *Female anatomy; A woman has a shorter urethra than a man does, which shortens the distance that bacteria must travel to reach the bladder.

    *Sexual activity.

    *Menopause; After menopause, a decline in  circulating estrogen causes change the urinary tract that make women more vulnerable to infection.

    *urinary track abnormalities.

     Blockages in the urinary tract. Urinary obstruction by kidney stones or an enlarged prostate in males increase risk of UTIs. 

    *Diabetes


Complications

When treated promptly and properly, lower urinary tract infections rarely lead to complications. But left untreated, a urinary tract infection can have serious consequences.

   >Recurrent infections, especially in women.

   > Permanent kidney damage from an acute or chronic kidney infection (pyelonephritis) due to an untreated UTI.

   > Sepsis, a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection, especially if the infection spreads to the kidneys.