A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is caused by a bacterium, virus, parasite or fungus. Bacterial infections are most common. UTIs may affect any of the structures of the urinary system, the system that produces urine and carries it out of the body as waste. The kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra may become infected; infectious organisms frequently enter the urethra and travel to the other areas. Men develop urinary tract infections less often than women, but they are about equally susceptible to complications, especially if the UTI is not treated by a healthcare professional.
Kidney Failure
A kidney infection can cause permanent damage to one or both kidneys, potentially leading to kidney failure. A man's kidneys may become scarred due to the infection, explains MedlinePlus, a website maintained by the National Institutes of Health. The infection may begin as a bladder or urethral infection that is untreated or inadequately treated. If kidney failure develops, the individual may need dialysis or a kidney transplant in order to survive.
Blood Infection
The kidneys are in constant contact with the bloodstream as blood flows through them to be filtered. A urinary tract infection in the kidneys can travel into the bloodstream, causing a life-threatening infection known as septicemia. Septicemia usually requires hospitalization, antibiotics given though the vein, frequent laboratory blood analysis and close monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate and temperature.
Reproductive System Infection
The prostate gland may become infected as a result of a urinary tract infection, explains the text, "Medical-Surgical Nursing." A prostate gland infection is known as prostatitis. One or both testicles and the tubes leading to them, called the epididymides, can become infected due to a UTI. Infection of a testicle is known as orchitis, and infection of an epididymis is called epididymitis. Pain medicine, oral or intravenous antibiotics and other treatments may be required to treat prostatitis, orchitis and epididymitis. In some cases, a testicle may have to be removed surgically, explains MDGuidelines. The man may become sterile as a result of severe orchitis of both testicles.
References
- "Medical-Surgical Nursing"; Donna Ignatavicius, M.S., R.N. and Linda Workman, Ph.D., R.N.; 2002
- Reed Group: MDGuidelines: Orchititis
- MayoClinic.com: Urinary Tract Infection
- MedlinePlus: Urinary Tract Infection - Adults
- MayoClinic.com: Kidney Infection
