Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, can occur in any part of the urinary system, which is comprised of the bladder, kidneys, ureters, sphincter and urethra. Symptoms include painful urination, an increased urge to urinate, cloudy or bloody urine and flu-like symptoms. Sometimes, there are no symptoms at all. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that 80 percent of UTIs occur in premenopausal women. Young children are also at risk of developing UTIs. While uncomfortable and sometimes painful, a urinary tract infection is seldom dangerous. Complications can arise when the condition is left untreated or if the infection is caused by an obstruction.
Premature Babies
A urinary tract infection during pregnancy can be dangerous for both mother and child. From weeks 6 to 24, pregnant women are at higher risk of developing a UTI. This is because as the uterus grows, it places increased pressure on the bladder. This pressure can prevent the bladder from emptying completely, increasing the chance of infection. Pregnant women who develop UTIs have a higher than normal chance of delivering prematurely or delivering a low-birth-weight baby. Fortunately, UTIs can be treated safely with antibiotics during a pregnancy. Early treatment can ensure a healthy and safe delivery.
Kidney Infection
An untreated UTI can develop into pyelonephritis, a kidney infection. This is a serious condition and requires immediate treatment. A kidney infection may require hospitalization as well as weeks of daily antibiotics. An untreated kidney infection can lead to organ damage or even complete organ failure. Symptoms of pyelonephritis include fever, back pain, abdominal pain, chills, joint and muscle pain, a sense of urgent urination and painful urination. Occasionally, there are no symptoms at all. An individual who experiences recurring UTIs should monitor his condition with urine sticks that change color when an infection is present.
Sepsis
Rarely, a UTI may spread bacteria to the bloodstream, a potentially life-threatening condition called sepsis. Once the infection has entered the bloodstream, it can easily spread to other parts of the body. Sepsis can lead to shock, low blood pressure and organ failure. A blood test can confirm the existence of sepsis, although the illness may be masked if a patient has already been taking antibiotics. Symptoms of sepsis include high or low body temperature, chills, dizziness and rapid heartbeat. Physicians treat septic patients with an intravenous solution of broad-spectrum antibiotics, medication that can treat a wide array of bacteria.
References
- "Practical Healthcare Epidemiology: Third Edition"; Ebbing Lautenbach; April 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center: UTI Risk Factors
