Bladder infection is one of the most common diseases that occurs in people of any age. The disease manifests itself very unpleasantly - is accompanied by fever, muscle pain and general weakness of the body. Sometimes other ailments that make you constantly run to the toilet join these symptoms. The most common cause of the disease is bacteria, viruses, fungi, or chlamydia. Very often, especially in men, the disease is caused by gonorrhea. Consider in more detail the symptoms and treatment of bladder infections in children and adults.
UTI. Incidence
Urinary tract infection occurs due to the presence of microbes (mainly bacteria) in it. Under normal conditions, in a healthy person, the path above the sphincter of the bladder is sterile. However, in some situations, microorganisms penetrate there, which begin to multiply in a favorable environment for them. This is what causes inflammation, which is referred to in medical terminology as UTI or urinary tract infection. What is this pathology?
The vast majority of cases are bladder infections, also called cystitis.
Much more serious is the disease caused by the entry of bacteria through the ureter into one or both kidneys, which leads to the development of pyelonephritis.
According to statistics, such a disease most often occurs in women. The vast majority of the fairer sex had an UTI at least once in their lives. Bladder infection in women is most often associated with pregnancy and the postpartum period. Among men, most cases of the disease are observed in older people (this is due to a violation of the outflow of urine, for example, due to an increase in the inflamed prostate).
In children, this disorder is often affected by existing abnormalities in the bladder (reverse vesicoureteral reflux). It is important to distinguish the appearance of symptoms in children and adults.
Causes of the disease
The most common bladder infection is bacterial. The main causative agent is Escherichia coli (abbreviated E. coli), which is responsible for 50-95% of cases of the disease. It has special structures called fimbriae that allow adhesion to the urinary tract. This intestinal infection in the bladder can get from the anus, and in rare cases, the bacterium can penetrate one or both kidneys. If the inflammation is caused by Escherichia coli, and there are no other factors contributing to the development of the disease, an uncomplicated UTI occurs. This disease is almost always found in women of childbearing age.
Viruses are less common causes of the disease, which are almost always transmitted through sexual contact. Mushrooms cause the disease mainly in humans:
- suffering from diabetes;
- undergoing treatment with antibacterial drugs;
- after surgery on the urinary tract;
- after taking immunosuppressants.
The disease more often affects women than men. This is due to anatomical differences in the structure of the urinary tract:
- shorter urethra;
- short distance of the urethra from the anus;
- colonization of the urinary tract by microbes from the vagina, etc.
This all facilitates the settlement and reproduction of microorganisms.
UTIs are a common problem in children. In the first months of life, this disease often affects boys. And at an older age, the risk of developing the disease in girls is higher. Bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Proteus species, and Staphylococcus saprophiticus are most often responsible for the development of symptoms of the disease.
UTIs in children are almost always formed through the invasion of pathogens from the lower parts of the urinary system. Inflammation is rarely the result of blood poisoning (for example, with sepsis).
Risk factors
Factors that increase the risk of developing bladder and kidney infections include:
- urolithiasis;
- vesicoureteral reflux, that is, an abnormal bladder (this is a congenital disorder most often found in children);
- diabetes;
- pregnancy and childbirth;
- elderly age;
- catheter in the bladder.
Symptoms of the disease in adults
In the case of UTIs, general and local symptoms (i.e. associated with the urinary tract) are encountered.
Local ones include:
- Disturbed urination, accompanied by pain, burning (dysuria).
- Frequent bowel movement.
- Urination at night (nocturia).
- Kidney pain. These organs are located in the lumbar region, that is, in the lower back, above the pelvis. It is in this place that pain occurs.
Common, often not specific, symptoms include:
- fever, sometimes with chills;
- nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain;
- headache,
- general weakness.
Red or dark brown urine can occur due to the presence of blood (hematuria), which is the result of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder. If a kidney infection occurs, fever almost always appears (above 38 ° C). There may be pain on one or both sides, nausea and vomiting. Signs of kidney disease can occur a few days after the onset of symptoms of bladder inflammation.
Bladder infection: symptoms in children
Diagnosis of UTI in children is often complicated by the absence of characteristic symptoms, so almost every child with a high fever can be suspected of a disease.
Inflammation of the urinary tract in children can take several clinical forms:
- Asymptomatic bacteriuria. The only sign of the disease is an increased number of bacteria in the urine of the child.
- Asymptomatic urinary tract infection. The disease manifests itself in the form of an increase in the number of bacteria and white blood cells in the urine.
- Infection of the lower urinary tract (cystitis in children). In additional tests, bacteriuria and pyuria are found. In a small patient, frequent urination, anxiety, agitation, pain during the passage of urine are observed. Sometimes blood may appear in the urine (hematuria).
- Acute pyelonephritis. Symptoms of the disease depend on the age of the patient. Older children complain of pain in the lumbar region or abdomen. The disease can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, which exceeds 38 degrees. In infants, pyelonephritis is manifested by fever, pain, bloating, vomiting and symptoms of meningitis. In newborns, the disease can occur in the form of hypothermia (low body temperature), vomiting, disorders of the nervous system, cyanosis, prolonged jaundice, and even sepsis and septic shock. Additional tests show bacteriuria, pyuria, accelerated ESR, an increase in CRP, and an increase in white blood cell count.
- Chronic pyelonephritis in children. The disease is manifested by recurrent bacteriuria and pyuria, impaired renal function and often hypertension.
Diagnostics
To diagnose which bladder infections are causing the disease, the following are used:
- General urine analysis. An increase in the number of white blood cells confirms the presence of inflammation in the body. Blood (red blood cells) and protein may also be present in urine.
- Bacteriological examination of urine. This analysis allows you to identify the microorganism that causes the inflammatory process, as well as determine the concentration (number) of bacteria. Sowing results are usually available after approximately 48 hours. It indicates whether there are bacteria in the urinalysis, what species and how many. If the amount of one type of microorganism exceeds 1000 per 1 milliliter of urine, the result confirms the presence of the disease. In such cases, the sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics (the so-called antibiogram) is also determined, which helps the doctor choose the appropriate treatment.
- Blood analysis. The purpose of the test is to determine the so-called C-reactive protein, ESR and leukocytosis. Their increase indicates an inflammatory process in the body.
- Bacteriological blood test. The analysis is carried out in severe forms of UTI, in which microbes penetrate the blood.
When a doctor suspects an abnormality in the urinary system or complications, he may prescribe:
- ultrasound of the kidneys and urinary tract;
- urography;
- computed tomography.
If urine tests do not confirm a bladder infection, and the symptoms in women persist, they should undergo a gynecological examination (suspected vaginitis), take into account urethritis (sexually transmitted disease). Sometimes it becomes necessary to undergo specialized urological examinations (cystoscopy).
Women's treatment
The main symptoms of bladder infections in women may be accompanied by additional manifestations. This may include an increase in temperature, vomiting, etc. In some cases, especially in the initial stages, the disease can be asymptomatic. As a rule, the doctor prescribes taking antibacterial agents. The course lasts from three to seven days. Drugs aimed at treating bladder infections are prescribed based on research results. The most effective remedy is Trimethoprim. It is taken either alone, or in combination with Sulfamethoxazole, Nitrofurantoin, or Ciprofloxacin. Symptoms of the disease begin to disappear 1-3 days after the start of the therapeutic course. Depending on the complexity of the course of the disease, treatment is carried out both in the hospital and at home.
In case of kidney inflammation, when fever and vomiting are added to the general symptoms, hospitalization of the patient is required. The patient is prescribed intravenous and intramuscular preparations, aimed not only at treating the underlying disease, but also at strengthening the immune system. The course of antibiotic therapy usually lasts 10-14 days. Antibiotics for bladder and kidney infections are the most effective treatment. A week or two after the end of the course of therapy, a urine test must be repeated.
It is very important to timely diagnose the disease and begin its treatment. Complications of the disease, such as kidney abscess, can be life threatening. In these cases, urological treatment is necessary to ensure the outflow of urine and drainage of abscesses.
Pregnant women are more likely than others to suffer from diseases of the urinary tract. It is necessary to treat the disease. In this case, you can not self-medicate, the drugs should be selected exclusively by the doctor. Sometimes there may be no signs of inflammation, and only a bacteriological examination of urine (asymptomatic bacteriuria) can be detected.
It is quite difficult to treat a bladder infection in pregnant women, since many drugs are contraindicated during this period. The most sparing antibiotics are Amoxicillin and Cephalexin. Also used are Trimethoprim and Nitrofurantoin. However, these funds are contraindicated in the first trimester and immediately before childbirth. The therapeutic course of antibiotics for asymptomatic bacteriuria should not be shorter than 7 days. During the treatment of bladder infections in women during pregnancy, a bacteriological analysis of urine should be taken periodically.
Among the drugs for cystitis, the most popular is Fugarin (an analogue of Furazidine). At the pharmacy, the product is dispensed without a prescription. Available in tablet form 50 mg or 100 mg. This drug inhibits the growth of bacteria in the urinary tract, quickly and effectively combats the symptoms of inflammation. It is used both in acute and recurrent cystitis, as well as as a prophylactic. It should be remembered that the use of the drug should not be interrupted in a situation of improvement or alleviation of symptoms. The course of treatment must be completed, otherwise the disease may resume again. During pregnancy and small children (up to 2 years old) "Furagin" can be taken only as directed by a doctor.
A unit dose of this medication for UTI is 100 mg (1 or 2 tablets, depending on the dosage of the drug). On the first day, 4 such doses should be taken (every 6 hours), then 3 (every 8 hours). You need to drink the medicine with food, preferably combined with protein (for example, meat, dairy products, eggs). It is important to observe clear intervals between doses. The full course of treatment should last 7-8 days.
When using Furagin, the color of urine changes. It becomes intensely yellow and returns to normal after treatment. During the course of therapy, alcohol should be avoided, because even a small amount of alcohol in combination with the drug can lead to a disulfiram-like reaction, which manifests itself in an accelerated heart rhythm, facial flushing, or excessive sweating.
Can the disease be completely cured?
In almost all cases, UTI is completely cured after complex treatment with antibacterial drugs. In some cases, treatment can be very long. However, sometimes it is not possible to completely remove the pathogenic microflora from the body. Although the treatment was successful, relapses occur.
In most cases, therapy is effective in combating the disease. After treatment, after 1-2 weeks, you need to pass a control analysis of urine for bacterial inoculation.
Treatment for men
Bladder infections in men often cause various diseases:
- gonorrhea;
- chlamydia
- mycoplasma;
- trichomelas.
Disease is common in young sexually active men. However, elderly patients with prostatic hyperplasia are also at risk. As a rule, a bladder infection in men is treated with antibiotics: Azithromycin and Ofloxacin. Home methods such as medicinal plant baths can also help:
- daisies;
- sage;
- goldenrod;
- nettles;
- horsetail.
Treatment of bladder inflammation in men can be carried out using Furagin, which inhibits the growth of bacteria, and also has an antiprotozoal and antifungal effect. In a pharmacy without a prescription, you can buy preparations with cranberry extracts, parsley root, birch leaves, which have a diuretic and astringent effect (for example, "Urosept", "Nefrosept", "Urosan").
Self-medication, as well as ignoring the problem, can lead to negative consequences. If the inflammatory process is not eliminated, the disease can develop into a chronic form, and cause complications that are life-threatening to the patient.
Antibiotics are very effective in such pathologies. However, it must be remembered that only a doctor should prescribe a course of therapy. If the medicine is chosen correctly, the occurrence of side effects is unlikely.
Do not self-medicate. There is a huge assortment of antibacterial agents, but all of them have certain indications for use. An improperly selected drug or dosage can cause irreparable harm.
If treatment is completely completed, and the symptoms of a bladder infection do not disappear, you should immediately consult a doctor. Perhaps the drug was not very effective and you need to replace it with another remedy.
UTI treatment in children
The treatment of a bladder infection in a child should be started immediately as soon as the first symptoms are detected. Procrastination can lead to serious consequences, for example, scarring of the kidney parenchyma. The increased risk group for this type of complications includes:
- young children;
- patients with acute pyelonephritis;
- children with vesicoureteral reflux.
The choice of the appropriate method of therapy depends on the age of the child and the form of UTI.
- The antibiotics recommended for the treatment of cystitis and urinary tract infections in newborns are penicillins, aminoglycosides and third-generation cephalosporins.
- Infants and children under the age of 3 who are diagnosed with asymptomatic bacteriuria are prescribed Furagin, Trimetroprim, or Cotrimoxazole. In case of symptomatic urinary tract infection (for example, in the presence of high fever, abdominal pain, nausea), antibiotics from the penicillin or cephalosporin group should be used.
- Older children with symptoms of cystitis and asymptomatic bacteriuria are prescribed Furagin, Trimethoprim, or Cotrimoxazole. Acute pyelonephritis requires the use of antibiotics from the group of penicillins or cephalosporins. «» «».
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- if an infant is suspected of having UTI under one month of age (in this case, inpatient treatment is mandatory, even if the baby does not have a high fever).
In the case of a disease caused by the presence of defects in the structure of the urinary tract or vesicoureteral reflux (IV or V degree), surgery is indicated.
In children with defects in the urinary system, neurogenic bladder, urolithiasis and within 6 months after surgery, prophylactic treatment based on the introduction of Nitrofurantoin or Trimethoprot is recommended.
UTI in children. How to prevent?
Given the prevalence of the disease in children and the complications that may occur after infection, it is important to know the principles of prevention:
- It is necessary to monitor the hygiene of the genitals and from childhood to instill in the child the basic rules for body care.
- Timely treat inflammation of the perineum and vagina in girls.
- Prevent constipation.
- Monitor the frequency of urination.
In the event that an infection does occur, you should immediately consult a doctor who will prescribe a course of antibacterial therapy.
Recommendations
Alternative methods also help get rid of an infection in the bladder. But this does not mean that you need to self-medicate and not go to the doctor. The recommendations listed below can only be used as an addition to the main course of therapy.
- The large amount of fluid used in the disease helps to quickly get rid of the pathogenic microflora that lives in the urinary tract and causes inflammation. It is recommended to drink 6-8 glasses of liquid per day.
- Cranberry juice has a unique healing property. It is recommended to drink it both in the treatment of the disease, and for prevention. Cranberries contain beneficial compounds that prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall and multiplying them. So even if pathogenic microorganisms have penetrated the organ, they will be unable to cause the development of infection, since they are quickly excreted from the body. It is best to consume fresh cranberry juice without the addition of preservatives.
- People suffering from infections of the bladder, and especially with a relapse of the disease, should take vitamin C in addition. This affects the acidification of urine and, thus, prevents the development of pathogenic bacteria. However, you should know that this substance is not compatible with all antibacterial agents. Therefore, you need to check with your doctor whether it is possible to drink vitamin C, specifically in your case.
- Echinacea is a plant that stimulates the body's immune system. It can be used as a prophylactic and therapeutic agent in acute and chronic bacterial and viral diseases. In pharmacies, it is sold in the form of tea, tablets and drops.
- Use essential oils of sandalwood, bergamot, juniper. The compounds contained in them have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, so they are used in the treatment of inflammation of the urinary tract. The above oils can be mixed, and after dilution rubbed into the skin above the bladder.
How to reduce pain with inflammation of the bladder?
To reduce the pain caused by cystitis, you can make warm poultices on the bladder. They will not only reduce pain, but also help stop the spread of inflammation. In case of fever or pain, use Paracetamol.
Advice of nephrologists and urologists
The following tips are helpful for women with chronic bladder infections:
- Increase the amount of fluid in your diet. Before each sexual intercourse, drink an additional one glass of water.
- Avoid bubble baths and chemicals.
- The bladder should be emptied before bedtime and immediately after intercourse.
- Avoid using intimate deodorants and vaginal spermicides.
- Clean your genitals every day and always before sexual intercourse. Wipe in front to back, this will prevent intestinal infections from entering the bladder and other organs of the genitourinary system.
- If you suffer from vaginal dryness, use moisturizing or intimate gels - this will avoid irritation of the mucous membrane and reduce the risk of infection. It is best to use intimate hygiene lotions that contain live bacterial cultures. They maintain a natural pH level of the skin and mucous membranes, have strong antibacterial, antiviral and fungicidal properties and do not cause irritation.
Recurrent infections in women are always associated with sexual activity. Therefore, they can, in agreement with the doctor, take a prophylactic single dose of the antibiotic after intercourse. In postmenopausal women, the use of estrogen, which is administered vaginally, may be beneficial. They help restore normal bacterial flora, which inhibits the growth of bacteria that cause the disease.
The article examined the symptoms and treatment of bladder infections in women, men and children.