Basic Information |
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Description |
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can involve the bladder, kidneys,
ureters (tubes connecting kidneys to bladder) and urethra (vessel
that leads from bladder to external opening through which urination
occurs). Pregnant women have a greater risk of developing urinary
tract infections.
Disorders include:
- Asymptomatic bacteriuria (presence of multiplying bacteria in the urinary tract without obvious symptoms).
- Cystitis, which is an infection of the urinary bladder.
- Pyelonephritis, which is a kidney infection that can arise from cystitis. It is a significant and potentially dangerous infection.
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Frequent Signs and Symptoms |
- Sometimes, no symptoms are obvious.
- Burning sensation during urination.
- Feeling the urge to urinate when the bladder is practically empty.
- A nagging type pain in the lower abdomen.
- Cloudy and unpleasant-smelling urine.
- With pyelonephritis, there may be fever, chills, nausea, vomiting and flank pain.
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Causes |
A breakdown in the body's defense mechanisms that allows bacteria
from the vagina, perineum, rectum, or a sexual partner to invade
the urinary tract system. Women are more vulnerable to these
infections due to shortness of the urethra. Infection ascends
from the urethra to the bladder. Various changes in the urinary
tract in pregnant women increase the risk of infection.
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Risk Increases With |
- A history of urinary tract infections.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Sickle cell anemia trait.
- Underlying abnormalities of the urinary tract.
- More than 3 previous pregnancies.
- Presence of renal stones (nephrolithiasis).
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Preventive Measure |
- Drink plenty of fluids (8 glasses of water a day).
- Empty bladder immediately before and right after sexual intercourse,
- Wipe from front to back after a bowel movement.
- Urine studies during prenatal office visits.
- Don't postpone urination.
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Expected Outcome |
With early diagnosis and treatment, symptoms usually resolve in a
few days. Recurrence is not uncommon.
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Possible Complications |
- Pyelonephritis, that may become chronic.
- Untreated urinary tract infections that can progress to
pyelonephritis, which is associated with premature labor and
poses a serious risk to the unborn child and mother.
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Treatment/Post Procedure Care |
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General Measures |
- Diagnostic laboratory tests will include a urinalysis
and urine culture. You will be advised on how to collect a
clean, midstream urine sample.
- For an asymptomatic infection or cystitis, medication is
generally all that is required for treatment. Follow-up
urine cultures are important to ensure that the infection is
eradicated.
- Pyelonephritis treatment normally requires
hospitalization for intravenous medications and careful
monitoring for complications, such as dehydration. If there
is no improvement in symptoms, further diagnostic testing is
considered.
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Medication |
Antibiotics will be prescribed. It is important to complete the
full dosage even if the symptoms disappear. In some cases, when a
UTI recurs, antibiotic treatment may be recommended for the
remainder of the pregnancy. In cases of pyelonephritis, antibiotic
therapy is often continued to suppress future infections, a
preventive strategy referred to as antibiotic prophylaxis.
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Activity |
- No restrictions.
- Avoid sexual intercourse when symptoms are present.
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Diet |
No special diet. Drink plenty of fluids (especially water).
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Notify Your Healthcare Provider If |
- You or a family member has symptoms of a urinary tract infection.
- Symptoms do not disappear following the first 2 days of treatment.
- You have not had a follow-up urine test to be sure the infection is eradicated.
- You develop fever, chills, or flank pain.
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