Pathophysiology - Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infection – infection that occurs anywhere in the urinary tract

Etiologic Factor – gram (-) organisms, E. coli, staphylococcus saphrophyticus, klebsiella pneumoniae, enterococcus species

RISK FACTORS

• Female (urethra is shorter)
• Sexual activity
• Structural abnormality
• Obstructions
• Impaired bladder innervation
• Chronic diseases
• Elderly persons
• Instrumentations

TYPES

1. Cystitis – urinary bladder
2. Urethritis – urethra
3. Ureteritis – ureter
4. Nephritis/pyelonephritis – kidneys

MANIFESTATIONS

• dysuria, frequency, urgency (3 cardinal signs)
• Nocturia
• Incontinence
• Suprapubic/pelvic pain
• Hematuria
• Fever and chills
• Flank and low back pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache and malaise
• Occasionally cloudy and foul smelling urine

DIAGNOSTICS

• Urine culture
• Intravenous pyelography (IVP) – identify cause of UTI
• Voiding cystogram – rule out urinary reflux

MANAGEMENT

• Antimicrobial agent
• Urinary acidification – ascorbic acid, juices preferably eat the fruit itself
• Acid-ash diet – meat, poultry, shellfish, beans, legumes, eggs corn and CPP (cranberry, plums, prunes)
• Increase fluid intake