Urinary Tract Infection Research Paper

Kailia Mims

SC162 M/A- Human Anatomy & Physiology 2
Professor: Quizon
9/19/14

Mostly everyone in the world has experienced a urinary tract infection. Urinary tract infection is also known as a (UTI). A urinary tract infection is a condition that can affect the urinary system where the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra can become infected. In most cases urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria that come at the opening of the urethra and travels to the bladder. It may often spread to the kidneys from the bloodstream.

“The signs and symptoms that occur when someone has a urinary tract infection is burning urination when they go to the bathroom. Urine is cloudy, looks pink, and has a strong smell to it. Also, the person urinating often, but not enough urine comes out when they do go. The person may be experiencing pain in their back or side. There are times people have a urinary tract infection and they have no symptoms. UTI is common in women, babies and elderly but children don’t experience the same symptoms as other. Babies tend to get
cranky and won’t eat while younger children get the same symptoms as an adult. Elderly people who have a urinary tract infection are more at risk for many reasons. They don’t experience any of the common symptoms and express them to others. Some of the symptoms that they get are falling, fever, confusion and many more”i (Balentine). “A diagnosis of a urinary tract infection can be determined in the medical office by information someone gives about their symptoms. When doctor want to determine if the person has a UTI they may take a urinalysis or a urine culture. The urinalysis is a sample that will test for signs of infection. The urine culture will test small amount of urine on a substance for a few days to see what type of bacteria are there”ii. “Most urinary tract infections can be treated well within 24-48 hours after treatment begins. If you have a kidney infection, it may take longer”iii. (Vorvick)

“Treatment for a urinary tract infection is usually treated with antibiotics.
The antibiotics and time of treatment depends on the conditions of the UTI. Some of the common antibiotics that doctors use are Ciprofloxacin, Fosfomycin, Levofloxacin and more. These types of antibiotics are used to kill the bacteria and so that it won’t make any permanent damage to the kidneysiv (Thompson). “When doctors provide patient with antibiotics women get about 3 days and men 7-14 days. Drink plenty of water when taking medication and contact your doctor if you have any side effects. Be sure to finish the antibiotics, even if you feel better. The infection may return and harder to go away. If the urinary tract infection is left untreated the lower urinary tract infection can progress to the upper UTI and cause complications such as pyelonephritis”v
(Balentine). “Some of the risks of having a urinary tract infection are being women. Women have had more than one UTI because they have a shorter urethra. When women become sexually active it occurs more than the ones who don’t. People who can’t urinate on their own and have to use a tube called catheter have more risks of getting a UTI. If the person has any conditions such as diabetes it can affect the bladder nerve”vi (Mayo Clinic Staff). “The prevention of getting a urinary tract infection is cranberries from cranberry juice. Cranberries can protect as a medicine for urinary tract infections, especially for people who are more likely to get it. Researchers believe that cranberries contain substances that help the causing of bacteria getting into the opening of the urethra. In Cranberries the antioxidants changes the bacteria so they can’t stick to the urinary tract”vii (Miller-Thrasher).

In conclusion, Urinary tract infection is very common in women. Creating an antibiotic that can help urinary tract from reoccurring would be a good idea. A UTI has many different diseases that can affect the person’s health if the infection is not taken care of during the time it occurred.

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