Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infectious diseases. Women, however, suffer from it much more often than men. It is also estimated that every tenth child remains with them until adolescence. Early detection of urinary tract infection allows for more effective treatment.
After upper respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common reason for visiting a doctor. This disease affects mainly women - they are sick even 50 times more often than men. This is mainly due to anatomy - in women, the urethra is much shorter and the midwife closer to the anus and genitals. Sexually active, pregnant and postmenopausal women are the most vulnerable to urinary tract infections. The risk of developing the disease is also increased by diabetes and conditions that require catheterization.
Urinary tract infections occur in virtually all age groups. As a result, they are also one of the most common bacterial diseases in childhood. Interestingly, in the neonatal period and in the first quarter of life, boys are much more ill, which is associated with more frequent birth defects of the urinary system. After this period, the number of cases among girls systematically increases with age. It is estimated that until adolescence, one in ten children will stay in a UTI.
Causes of urinary tract infectionsSources of urinary tract infections can be different. In most cases, however, they are caused by the presence of Escherichia coli in the urinary tract. Research indicates that they are responsible for 61-92% of cases of this type of infection in children. The most important feature of E. coli virulence is increased adhesion to the epithelial cells of the urinary tract. It enables bacteria to colonize the mucosa. Some strains of this bacterium produce extracellular α-haemolysin, which is highly toxic to the cells of the renal tubular epithelium. In adolescents, as much as 30% of UTIs are caused by Staphylococcus saprophyticus bacteria. At the same time, the source of this type of infection can also be viruses, fungi, parasites, chlamydia and mycoplasmas.
What are the symptoms?
Urinary tract infections are most often associated with specific symptoms. These types of infections can take many forms and the nature of the symptomsallows you to distinguish between them. For example, burning of the urethra after urinating and a feeling of constant discomfort are the most common symptoms of urethritis. Another form of UTI is cystitis. It can be acute or chronic. Symptoms of acute cystitis are painful urge and pain while urinating, and pollakiuria. Urine tests show bacteriuria, pyuria, or hematuria. If symptoms last longer than 2-3 weeks, chronic cystitis is diagnosed.
The severe form of urinary tract infection is pyelonephritis. Most often it is associated with fever and high levels of inflammation in the blood (leukocytes, ESR, CRP). There may also appear pyuria and bacteriuria.
Interestingly, urinary tract infections do not always follow these symptoms. This is the case, for example, with asymptomatic bacteriuria. It is when there are bacteria in the urine that indicate an infection in the absence of any symptoms. Hidden in this way and untreated infection can cause acute nephritis even after several years.
Diagnostics
The main criterion for identifying a UTI is the presence of symptoms of infection. Nevertheless, the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) and NICE (National Institute for He alth and Clinical Excellence) guidelines recommend the use of test strips for the initial diagnosis of children. The reason is simple. While an adult can recognize and describe the symptoms of urinary tract inflammation, small children cannot (undeveloped speech) or are ashamed to communicate this type of ailments.
These test strips are available in pharmacies and you can do them yourself at home. The simplest of them assesses the two most important parameters - the presence of leukocytes and nitrites. Nitrite is not present in the urine of a he althy person. Their presence is an indirect proof of infection, because it indicates the presence of bacteria that are able to convert nitrates from proteins into nitrites. At the same time, a trace amount of leukocytes is permissible in the urine of a he althy person. Their increased number may indicate, inter alia, for acute and chronic urinary tract infections, but also other kidney diseases or cancer.
The handling of these tests is extremely simple. All you need to do is take a urine sample and dip a test strip into it. The result is read by comparing the color change in the test fields with the color scale in the template. A positive test result may indicate a diagnosis of UTI, but the final diagnosis should be confirmed with a positive urine culture.
Try the TEST for urinary tract infections (for children and adults)
Author: Hydrex
The urinary tract infection test is a great home diagnostic tool that allows you to analyze your urine for leukocytes and nitrites.
Urinary tract infections TEST detects urinary tract infections and inflammations in both children and adults. Nitrite is absent in normal urine, while leukocytes may only appear in trace amounts.
The test is particularly useful in the diagnosis of infections in children, who are often ashamed to admit to having problems with the urinary system.
Buy a testHow to treat urinary tract infections?
The goal of urinary tract infection treatment is to sterilize the urinary tract and to ensure the physiological conditions of urine flow. Currently, there are several antibacterial and diuretic drugs containing furazidine on the market over the counter.
When it comes to children, each time the treatment method should be determined by a doctor. In symptomatic forms of the disease, treatment is recommended to start even before the bacteriological test result is obtained. For this purpose, doctors most often prescribe the aforementioned furazidine. Its dose is adjusted to the child's weight and often requires a so-called split powders. After receiving the antibiotic, if necessary, the therapy should be modified according to the test results (i.e. by using an antibiotic to which the bacteria are susceptible).
Supportive - both in adults and in children - herbal preparations (mainly dietary supplements) can be used in the treatment of UTIs. The most popular are cranberries, in which there are protoanthitanidins. They prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder walls.
What about vitamin C?It is often recommended to use vitamin C during furazidine therapy. Meanwhile, vitamin C (especially in high doses) can cause acidification of the urine, which will affect the absorption of the drug from the urine and its accumulation in tissues. This, in turn, increases the risk of developing toxic effects and reduces therapeutic activity (because less drug reaches the bladder where it should work).