Humana HealthBeat Transcript Archive

One in five women who have a urinary tract infection will have another and about 25% percent of those women will have recurrent infections.

Women are more susceptible than men to developing urinary tract infections, or UTI's for short. This is probably because the urethra, which sends urine out of the body, is short, allowing bacteria from the outside quick access to the bladder.

Some of the bacteria that can cause UTI's are transmitted by sexual intercourse. And women who use a diaphragm are more likely to develop a UTI.

Pregnant women who get a UTI are more likely to develop a kidney infection. That's probably because of hormonal changes, as well as shifts in the position of the urinary tract during pregnancy, making it easier for bacteria to travel up to the kidneys.

Women with recurrent UTI's should be evaluated for abnormalities of the urinary tract, kidney stones, and any underlying problem that would suppress the immune system. However, most of the time, women with recurrent UTI's don't have any obvious abnormality. It's now thought that these women may lack a certain antibody in the urinary tract that can help fight infection. Studies are currently being conducted on vaccines aimed at increasing the level of this antibody.

Here are some steps you can take to avoid infection:

Drink lots of water to flush the bacteria out.
Drink cranberry juice which can inhibit the growth of bacteria by making the urine acidic.
Take showers instead of baths. Bubble baths can irritate the urethra, especially in young girls.
Avoid using feminine hygiene sprays and scented douches, which may also irritate the urethra

Women with recurrent UTI's should ask their doctor about treatment options such as the use of low dose antibiotics taken daily or a single dose taken after sexual intercourse.

March 22
Urinary Tract Infections
	One in five women who have a urinary tract infection will have another and about 25% percent of those women will have recurrent infections. Women are more susceptible than men to developing urinary tract infections, or UTI's for short. This is probably because the urethra, which sends urine out of the body, is short, allowing bacteria from the outside quick access to the bladder. Some of the bacteria that can cause UTI's are transmitted by sexual intercourse. And women who use a diaphragm are more likely to develop a UTI. Pregnant women who get a UTI are more likely to develop a kidney infection. That's probably because of hormonal changes, as well as shifts in the position of the urinary tract during pregnancy, making it easier for bacteria to travel up to the kidneys. Women with recurrent UTI's should be evaluated for abnormalities of the urinary tract, kidney stones, and any underlying problem that would suppress the immune system. However, most of the time, women with recurrent UTI's don't have any obvious abnormality. It's now thought that these women may lack a certain antibody in the urinary tract that can help fight infection. Studies are currently being conducted on vaccines aimed at increasing the level of this antibody. Here are some steps you can take to avoid infection: Drink lots of water to flush the bacteria out. Drink cranberry juice which can inhibit the growth of bacteria by making the urine acidic. Take showers instead of baths. Bubble baths can irritate the urethra, especially in young girls. Avoid using feminine hygiene sprays and scented douches, which may also irritate the urethra Women with recurrent UTI's should ask their doctor about treatment options such as the use of low dose antibiotics taken daily or a single dose taken after sexual intercourse.

	How do you know if you have a UTI? The most common symptoms are painful urination, a frequent urge to urinate with little urine made, and pressure above the pubic bone. Fever, chills, nausea and vomiting suggest that the infection has spread to the kidneys or even to the blood stream. These symptoms require immediate medical attention. Seniors, people with chronic conditions like diabetes, people with depressed immune systems, and pregnant women are at an increased risk of serious infection. These individuals should let their doctor know immediately if they have any symptoms that suggest they might have a UTI. References and Resources: National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse www.niddk.nih.gov Urine Tests KidsHealth.org www.kidshealth.org/parent/healthy/labtests/labtest7.html