SCRIPT NUMBER 151
KIDNEY INFECTION - 2
(TWO SPEAKERS)
PROGRAM NAME: HEALTH NUGGETS
PROGRAM TITLE: KIDNEY INFECTION - 2
PROGRAM NUMBER:
151
SUBJECT: CAUSES, TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF KIDNEY
INFECTIONS.
KEY WORDS: URINARY BLADDER, INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE,
DIALYSIS, RESISTANT ORGANISMS
DATE OF SCRIPT: FEBRUARY 14, 2014
AUTHOR: RICHARD YUKL, MD, FACS
SPEAKER 1:
I was saddened recently when I heard the report of an
elderly lady who became ill with a medical condition that nearly killed her, even
though it is preventable. She lives in an area of the world where homes don’t
have indoor plumbing, so she has to walk several hundred meters to use an
outdoor toilet. Because of significant back pain related to her age, she decided to
limit the amount of fluids she drank. She thought that way she wouldn’t have to
use the toilet as often. Within weeks of her starting her new plan, she began
having severe burning with urination. She began having blood in her urine. Then,
she developed a high fever, and she became very confused. Her family took her
to their nearest hospital, located nearly one hour’s travel. She required
hospitalization for more than a week, specific, expensive antibiotics, and fluids
given by vein. Nurses at the hospital were surprised that she was able to recover.
SPEAKER 2:
Today, we are talking about infections of the urinary bladder
and kidneys, or what we call urinary tract infections.
SPEAKER 1:
What purpose do our kidneys and urinary bladder serve?
SPEAKER 2:
We were created with kidneys, a sophisticated filtering
system designed to remove dangerous waste products from our bodies. Our
kidneys produce urine, which drains through urinary tubes into our urinary
bladder. Sadly, that urinary bladder is prone to infection by bacteria. The bacteria
can then travel up into our kidneys, causing serious and even life-threatening
problems.
SPEAKER 1:
What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?
SPEAKER 2:
They are similar to those experienced by the lady you told us
about - a fever, pain in the back or the side of the abdomen, and a constant,
strong urge to urinate, resulting in frequent urination. Urination causes a burning
pain, and you may see blood or pus in the urine. Older adults may become very
confused. Children with a urinary tract infection may return to bed-wetting. They
may become extremely irritable. They may refuse to eat, and they may pass
loose bowel movements.
SPEAKER 1:
What should I do if I develop symptoms of a urinary tract
infection?
SPEAKER 2:
Prompt medical attention is required, because the bacteria
can spread into the blood stream, causing deadly complications. The whole body
can become involved in an inflammatory response against the bacteria. The
blood vessels will then relax and the fluid portion of the blood can leak into
surrounding tissues, causing the blood pressure to drop to dangerously low
levels. Restoring the blood pressure may require massive fluid replacement in a
hospital intensive care unit. A machine may be required to help with breathing,
and dialysis may also be required to support the kidneys if they also have
become poisoned. At its worst, the infection can cause severe scarring of the
kidneys, preventing them from ever returning to normal function.
SPEAKER 1:
Urinary tract infections are truly serious, aren’t they?
SPEAKER 2:
Yes. Doctors are becoming increasingly concerned about
urinary tract infections, because the bacteria that most commonly cause the
infections are difficult to treat with antibiotics. Relatively effective antibiotics have
been developed in recent years, but the bacteria are already developing
resistance to these new antibiotics. Studies show that, in both community and
hospital settings, the incidence of bacterial resistance to the antibiotics has
climbed 50-60% over just the past 11 years.
SPEAKER 1:
Describe my risk factors for developing a urinary tract
infection.
SPEAKER 2:
Women carry a greater risk of these infections than do men
because the tube that drains their urinary bladder is much shorter than a man’s.
Bacteria have a shorter distance to travel from outside their body to invade their
bladder. Another risk factor is any condition that obstructs the flow of urine things such as kidney stones or an enlarged prostate gland in men. Urine that
does not completely drain because of obstruction becomes a good culture
medium in which bacteria can grow rapidly. Finally, medical conditions such as
diabetes, an HIV virus infection, or conditions requiring treatment with steroids,
will damage one’s immune system, increasing their risk of developing a urinary
tract infection.
SPEAKER 1:
How are urinary tract infections treated?
SPEAKER 2:
Antibiotics are the first line of treatment. Usually, symptoms
of an uncomplicated infection will begin to clear within a few days of home
treatment, but you need to continue antibiotics for a week or longer. You must
take all of the antibiotics your doctor gave you to ensure that the infection is
completely eliminated. If your infection is severe, your doctor may admit you to
the hospital, allowing the antibiotics to be given through a vein in your arm, and
the complications of the infection to be properly treated.
SPEAKER 1:
What can I do to prevent getting a urinary tract infection?
SPEAKER 2:
Women, wipe from front to back after urinating and after
bowel movements to prevent the bacteria that are present in the region from
spreading to your urinary bladder. Avoid using feminine products such as
deodorant sprays or douches in the genital area. They can irritate the outlet of
your urinary bladder, allowing bacteria to gain entry. Men and women should
drink plenty of liquids to flush bacteria from their body as they urinate. Avoid
holding back urination when you feel the urge. You need to drink enough water
or other liquid to produce light, almost colorless urine. Finally, if you develop a
urinary tract infection, take your antibiotics exactly as directed by your doctor,
and take all of the antibiotics your doctor has given you. This minimizes the risk
of an infection returning and the development of resistant organisms.
SPEAKER 1:
Health Nuggets is written by Dr. Richard Yukl, a medical
doctor working in the United States. The medical views expressed in this
program are his and may differ for your particular health needs. If you need
medical advice, please consult a medical professional in your area.