Urinary Tract Infections in Adolescents and Adults
Our urinary tract is made up of kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a type of microbial attack on any one of the organs comprising the urinary tract. The main function of the urinary system is to flush unwanted waste out from the body, in the form of urine. Urine normally does not flush out bacteria from the body and when these bacteria get into the bladder or kidney, they multiply ten-folds and cause serious tract infections.
Most commonly, UTI affects the lower urinary tract, that consists of the bladder and urethra, but they can be treated quickly and easily. UTIs that affect the upper urinary tract, consisting of kidneys and ureters, are rare and difficult to treat due to their severity. UTI causes severe discomfort and pain, hence it is important to get a prompt treatment to avoid further spread of the infection to the kidneys, which can ultimately prove to be fatal.
Common Symptoms of UTI
It is important to be aware of the basic symptoms of UTIs so that you can immediately start the treatment, as and when you encounter any one of its symptoms. When someone is infected with a lower tract UTI, the lining of the bladder and urethra starts turning red and you may also develop irritation and itching. The infected person may also feel an urge to urinate at frequent intervals. This is caused because the irritation in the bladder forces you to urinate even if you do not have much urine in your bladder. The texture of the urine also changes to a different colour which can be red or pink and also has a foul smell. The irritation in the bladder also causes pain in the lower abdomen pelvic area and lower back.
Types of Urinary Tract Infections
UTI infections differ with their signs and symptoms depending upon the particular organ which is infected. The three different types of UTI are:
1. Infection of the bladder (Cystitis)
Symptoms
Cramping and pain in the lower back and abdomen
Blood in the urine
Constant urge to urinate
Painful urination
Pelvic pain
2. Infection of the Urethra (Urethritis)
Symptoms
Burning sensation while urinating
Discharge
3. Infection of the Kidneys (Acute Pyelonephritis)
Symptoms
Nausea
Vomiting
Shaking
Chills
Mental changes
Upper back and side pain
High fever
Causes of UTI in Adolescents and Adults
UTI is very commonly found in adolescents and adults. Also, girls and women are more prone to be infected with a UTI and they can develop serious UTI at more than three times the rate as compared to young boys and men. This is because girls and women have shorter urethras, so the germs and microbes can easily pass on from the bowel to the bladder.
For adolescent girls and young women, who are menstruating, it is highly advised to change sanitary napkins and tampons frequently to avoid the risk of infection. They should also wipe from front to back with toilet paper after bowel movements.
Another common reason for UTI in adolescents and adults, is an active sexual life. Thus, it is important to counsel adolescents about sexual activities and its consequences, to mitigate the risk of UTI. All adolescents with UTIs should be queried for sexual activity and should be checked for presence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Other factors responsible for contacting a UTI are use of spermicide and birth control medicines.
How is UTI Diagnosed
In order to test for UTI, a urine sampling is conducted which is known as urinalysis. In some cases, the urine is also checked for the presence of bacteria through a urine culture. In young children an ultrasonography examination can also help with the detection of UTI.
Treatment of UTI
In healthy adolescents and women, who are diagnosed with a bladder infection (Cystitis), the usual treatment includes a complete course of antibiotics. In men, the same antibiotics are used, provided there is no issue involving the prostate gland.
If a urine culture has been performed and is negative for infection, other causes of pain, burning, and frequency should be investigated. In some cases, infection is caused by small amounts of bacteria that are not detected through a typical urine culture. Therefore, in some cases, even if the report is negative the doctor may prescribe you to take the complete course of antibiotics.
If there is severe pain and irritation in the bladder and urethra, one can also ask for numbness medication from the doctor. These medicines help to numb the bladder and urethra, to reduce the burning pain caused by UTIs. It is also recommended to drink more fluids while treating bladder infections to help flush bacteria from the bladder.
Can UTIs prove to be fatal
While in most of the cases, it is possible to treat and cure UTI with proper treatment of antibiotics, but not if it gets “complicated”. There are several reasons for a UTI to get complicated and then it becomes difficult to cure it with regular antibiotics.
Women with repeated cases of infections: Women who get UTI repeatedly over and over again might have to take a longer medication of about six months. They should also be cautious while switching birth controls and practice a habit of peeing right after having sex.
Permanent kidney damage: If you don't treat a UTI, it can damage your kidneys forever. An untreated UTI, could travel to the kidneys and cause sepsis. While your body is trying hard to fight sepsis, it causes respiratory issues, and other problems related to heart rate, white blood cells and body temperature. It can affect the way your kidneys function and lead to kidney scars and high blood pressure. Sometimes it can prove a fatal disease for the infected person.
UTI in pregnant women: UTIs are very commonly found in pregnant women. If not cured timely, they prove to be fatal for both mom and the baby. There are also chances of premature delivery, delivery with low birthweight, anemia and high blood pressure.
Can UTI be Prevented
There are several ways through which you can reduce the risk of a UTI. Natural remedies, hygienic bathroom habits, probiotics and urination before and after sex, are highly recommended to prevent yourself from contacting a UTI. Women who are in their menopause stage can also benefit from estrogen therapy in order to balance the vaginal bacteria.