Bacteria in the urine - how dangerous is it?
introduction
There are numerous opportunities for bacteria in the urine, which can result from a variety of urinary tract infections. Unfortunately, urinary tract infections are very common and often affect women. There is the possibility of an inflammation of the urethra (urethritis), an infection of the bladder (cystitis) or an inflammation of the kidneys (pyelonephritis). Cystitis is a very widespread disease, especially in women, in which bacteria of the Escherichia coli type accumulate in the tissue of the urinary bladder.
Urethritis is similar to cystitis, except that Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococcal) bacteria often settle directly in the urethra. This infection is also very common. In the case of inflammation of the renal pelvis, bacteria are also the trigger of the disease, in which the connective tissue and the mucous membrane of the renal pelvis are affected. The urinary parts of the kidneys, the glomeruli, are not affected by the inflammation. The bacteria are usually the same as in cystitis, as this is the cause in many cases.
Symptoms
When it comes to symptoms, there is little difference between a cystitis and a cystitis Urethritis. In both cases, great pain can often occur. Most of those affected complain about Burning sensation when urinating and some patients also feel a Itching in the urethra. A purulent, cloudy discharge can also be an indication of a Urethritis be. It is also very common that the genital area is reddened. It is very noticeable, however, that a great many women no symptoms at all in other words that they do not notice that they have a urinary tract infection. This can be problematic if the disease is not treated and the bacteria can rise into the urinary bladder, and the fallopian tubes can become inflamed, which can even lead to infertility can lead. In addition, the urethra can narrow and in men testicles, Epididymis and also inflame the prostate.
In the case of cystitis turn there is clearly more sick women than sick men and in addition to the symptoms mentioned, there is a strong urge to urinate, which is also given when the bladder is empty. In bad cases, you can hardly get away from the toilet. In addition, there are always patients who have blood in their urine. Usually, however, there are no additional symptoms, so that those affected otherwise feel very healthy. Symptoms such as fever only occur very rarely. However, if the kidney is inflamed, symptoms such as fever, tiredness, nausea and vomiting, severe pain in the flanks and the symptoms already mentioned can occur.
Painful urination
If the urinary tract is infected with bacteria, it becomes inflamed. This can be very painful.
The severity of the pain is not the only decisive factor in assessing the infection. It is also very important where and when the pain occurs. The burning pain when urinating is typical of a urinary tract infection. This is a normal reaction of the body to the urinary tract infection. They are often a symptom of an uncomplicated urinary tract infection. Uncomplicated urinary tract infections usually heal independently in women. Therefore, they rarely require medical treatment.
Urinary tract infections can be dangerous if they rise along the ureters and thus reach the kidneys. Such inflammation of the renal pelvis is called pyelonephritis. It should definitely be treated by a doctor. Otherwise, the pathogens can spread with the blood or damage the kidneys. Pyelonephritis leads to a fever and an increased feeling of illness. Pain in the back or lumbar area is also typical. Tapping the flanks further increases this pain.
Read more on the topic: Painful urination
Bacteria in the urine with no accompanying pain
A colonization of the urinary tract with bacteria does not always have to trigger a painful inflammation.
If bacteria can be detected in the urine without causing symptoms, it is called asymptomatic bacteriuria. Such asymptomatic bacteriuria can be found in around 10% of older women. Usually this does not require treatment.
Pregnant women in particular are an exception to this. During pregnancy, the urinary tract and kidney function change. Therefore, pregnant women are particularly at risk of developing a complicated urinary tract infection. A previous colonization of the urinary tract with bacteria can further promote this.
White blood cells in the urine
White blood cells, also called leukocytes, are cells of the immune system. They serve to ward off disease. In healthy people there are less than ten leukocytes per µl urine.
In the case of urinary tract infections, this amount can be greatly exceeded.
The exact origin of the leukocytes can be proven by various tests and microscopically. In the two-lens test, two urine samples are taken one after the other when urinating once. If there are more leukocytes in the first sample than in the second, this indicates primarily an infection of the urethra. If the opposite is the case, the inflammation is likely to be in the bladder, ureters, or even the kidney. If the leukocytes come from the kidneys, this can be demonstrated microscopically using so-called leukocyte cylinders.
Protein in the urine
There are many reasons for protein in the urine. The urine is produced by filtering the blood through the kidneys. If protein gets through the renal filter, the absolute majority of it is still reabsorbed in the kidneys.
However, even with urinary tract infections, proteins can appear in large quantities in the urine. These then usually do not come from the kidneys. Inflammation in the area of the lower urinary tract is usually the cause of such a protein increase in the urine. For example, some leukocytes release certain proteins for defense against germs. These get into the urine.
For more information, see: Protein in the urine - you should know that!
Kidney pain as a symptom of bacteria in the urine
A dreaded complication of urinary tract inflammation is the so-called pyelonephritis. It can arise when bacteria rise from the urinary tract and attack the kidney. Symptoms of this are fever, a strong feeling of illness and kidney pain if you have had a urinary tract infection. Tapping the lumbar region increases the pain. Pyelonephritis is a potentially dangerous disease because it can damage the kidneys. In addition, pathogens can get into the blood and cause sepsis. Therefore, it should always be treated by a doctor.
Read more on the topic: Kidney pain
How dangerous are bacteria in urine?
Bacteria in urine are not dangerous in and of themselves, but if they occur with other symptoms such as frequent urination and painful urination, this indicates a urinary tract infection. This should be treated to prevent complications such as kidney disease.
Can bacteria appear in the urine without causing symptoms?
A urinary tract infection can also occur without pain. It is said that many women have no symptoms whatsoever, especially with urethritis, because their urethra is significantly shorter. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all and the infection is only discovered by chance, based on a routine examination. Even if there is no pain, you should consult a doctor if you suspect you have a urinary tract infection. If the infection is not treated, it can get worse and cause discomfort.
root cause
Women are affected significantly more often than men because their urethra is much shorter and the mouth of the urethra is much closer to the anus. Sometimes bacteria from the intestines then get into the urinary tract and settle there. But especially in sexually active people, urinary tract infections occur much more frequently, as bacteria can enter the body more easily if sexual intercourse was unprotected, or the genitals are so irritated that more bacteria can be absorbed into the body.
But foreign bodies such as catheters that are used over a long period of time are also potentially dangerous. In addition, intolerance to contraceptives and operations in the genital area can trigger urinary tract infections. Constrictions and obstructions to drainage due to bladder or urinary stones are also among the causes. A urethritis is similar to a cystitis. The decisive factor here is that men are usually more at risk and more affected because they have a longer urethra. The cause of a kidney inflammation is usually a delayed urethritis or a delayed cystitis. Postpone means that the inflammation was not treated and the bacteria were eventually able to move up to the kidneys.
Which bacteria are in the urine?
The bacterium E. Coli
In healthy people, bacteria are found in the urinary tract and thus in the urine only in very small quantities. However, if bacteria succeed in colonizing the urinary tract, a urinary tract infection occurs. In this case, larger amounts of bacteria can be found in the urine.
In more than 8 out of 10 cases, Escherichia Coli bacteria are the cause of a urinary tract infection. Bacteria of the genus Escherichia Coli also live in the intestines of healthy people. Many subgroups of them belong to the harmless intestinal flora, which consists of several trillion bacteria. Due to the proximity of the anus to the urinary tract, they can easily migrate through the urethra and cause cystitis. So-called sticky pills help the bacteria. These are thin appendages on the cell surface that anchor the bacterium to the epithelium of the urinary tract.
Escherichia Coli bacteria are very adaptable. In addition, resistance to antibiotics is becoming more common. This complicates the treatment.
Several subgroups of Escherichia Coli are particularly common in causing urinary tract infections. You have the necessary adhesive pillows. These bacteria can likely persist in the gut as well. Since they can emigrate again and again from there, recurring urinary tract infections are the result.
Other gut bacteria in the urine
In addition to bacteria of the genus Escherichia Coli, other intestinal bacteria can also enter the urinary tract from the intestine.
If they are able to colonize them, this can lead to a urinary tract infection. In this case, large amounts of bacteria are excreted in the urine. Since the human intestine can accommodate thousands of bacterial species, a multitude of possible pathogens is conceivable.
Common examples of intestinal bacteria that can trigger a urinary tract infection in addition to Escherichia Coli are Klebsiella pneumoniae or Proteus mirabilis.
Intestinal bacteria are often involved in so-called complicated urinary tract infections. These are special urinary tract infections with complications such as kidney dysfunction or concomitant diseases.
A colonization of the urinary tract does not always have to lead to a urinary tract infection. If bacteria are found in the urine without the typical symptoms of a urinary tract infection present, treatment is not absolutely necessary. Even in healthy people, small amounts of bacteria can often be detected in the urine.
diagnosis
Sometimes the diseases are caused by a Urinalysis discovered, which can be carried out in the course of a routine examination. Much more often, however, patients already complain of pain and other symptoms. Then a urine sample is examined. A normal urine test usually only detects bacteria. However, there is no indication of what type they are or how many of them are in the urine. So do you want more precise information, even if you want to be sure that the correct information is available antibiotic is taken, one can Urinary culture be created.
Usually the urinary tract extends into the bladder completely free from germs and bacteria, so this is a great option Urinary tract infection to diagnose. A detailed medical history and examination is important for examining the urine. Often the patient's stories alone give an accurate picture of the disease. In addition, you can see in the blood count that the number of white blood cells is increased, i.e. that the inflammation values are increased because the body is struggling with an infection. In the course of the examination, an ultrasound is usually also performed to rule out other causes. For example, if there is blood in the urine, other imaging methods must be used.
Test strips for bacteria in urine
Urine test strips are widely available and very cheap. They are submerged in the urine and discolour upon contact with various substances. In this way it can be estimated whether there is sugar, protein, blood, leukocytes or nitrite in the urine.
Bacteria can also be detected in this way, albeit indirectly. Usually this happens through the nitrite. It is created by the bacterial metabolism in the urine. However, not all bacteria produce nitrite. Therefore a lack of evidence of nitrite does not rule out a urinary tract infection.
therapy
The antibiotic is undoubtedly the most important in the treatment of urinary tract infections. It is almost always bacteria that caused the disease. You can then possibly switch to another antibiotic that eliminates the bacteria better. A cold in the genital area promotes the spread of other bacteria rather than recovery, so caution is advised, especially in colder temperatures. In addition, cranberry juice (also in tablet form) is said to have a positive effect on recovery, as it acidifies the urine and creates an inhospitable environment for the bacteria. You can find this bladder tea and ready-made mixtures in pharmacies and health food stores.
You should also drink a lot, because the more you go to the toilet, the more bacteria are flushed out. If you have kidney inflammation, you should especially ensure strict bed rest. If it is a question of bladder or urinary stones or other constrictions that trigger the disease, an operation will of course also help. If pathogens other than bacteria are involved, other appropriate therapies must of course be used. The attending physician will provide the necessary information here. Sexual intercourse should definitely be avoided if one suffers from a urinary tract infection, as the genital area is additionally irritated and bacteria can be transmitted to the sexual partner unprotected.
Which antibiotics help against bacteria in the urine?
In the case of a urinary tract infection, so-called empirical antibiotic therapies are often carried out. This means that it is not tested what exactly the pathogen is and whether it is resistant to certain antibiotics.
Instead, an active ingredient is used that is effective against a large number of the most common pathogens. It is usually desirable that the antibiotic used is still effective in over 80% of urinary tract infections. The problem is that very effective antibiotics with a broad spectrum of activity should mostly be withheld as reserve antibiotics.
Mostly one uses cotrimoxazole, nitrofurantoin, quinolone or various beta-lactams. Quinolones should no longer be used to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections due to the rapid development of resistance.
First choice drugs are: Fosfomycin, Nitrofurantoin and Pivmecillinam. As beta-lactam, pivmecillinam is similar to penicillin and is still rarely used. Fosfomycin is a very well tolerated antibiotic with a strong effect. However, it is mostly used clinically as a reserve antibiotic. That is why many advise against large-scale use.
Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic that can only be used for urinary tract infections. This is because it is excreted in the urine and accumulates in the urinary tract. However, it can often cause side effects such as nausea or vomiting.
Bacteria are resistant to antibiotics- what can be done?
An uncomplicated urinary tract inflammation does not normally require antibiotic treatment, as it heals on its own. The same applies to bacteria in the urine that do not cause symptoms. If treatment is needed, antibiotic-resistant bacteria can cause problems. Sometimes it is enough to change the antibiotic used.
Newly developed active ingredients in particular can still be effective. In rare individual cases, however, pathogens have already been discovered that were resistant to all approved antibiotics. In this case, doctors only have supportive treatment.
Home remedies for bacteria in the urine
Especially in women, antibiotic therapy is not absolutely necessary for a simple urinary tract infection. Usually home remedies are enough to fight the disease.
Experience has shown that taking enough fluids helps. If you drink a lot of water, it stimulates urine production.
Bacteria are flushed out of the urinary tract with each urination. The urinary bladder should always be completely emptied. Sufficient rest and warming the lower abdomen can alleviate the symptoms. It is also likely to stimulate blood flow. This helps in defense against germs.
In addition to these simple means of combating a urinary tract infection, there are also a number of over-the-counter substances that promise an improvement in the disease. For most of them, however, no efficacy has yet been proven. For example, the effectiveness of cranberry juice is now highly controversial.
Exceptions to this are, for example, mustard oils made from horseradish or watercress. Studies have shown that both are effective. No serious side effects were found.
Even bacteria that are resistant to certain antibiotics can still react to mustard oils. In most cases, home remedies are sufficient to treat an uncomplicated urinary tract infection. However, if there is severe pain, especially in the area of the flanks, fever or blood in the urine, a doctor should be consulted.
homeopathy
Homeopathy is often described as a gentle alternative to conventional medicine. It should be noted, however, that the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies is, at best, controversial. In high-quality studies, in the vast majority of cases, no significant differences between a homeopathic remedy and a placebo can be demonstrated.
However, since homeopathic treatment does not seem to have any negative effects, one does not have to strictly advise against it. Nevertheless, a doctor should be consulted if the urinary tract infection persists or more severe symptoms such as fever recur.
forecast
The prognosis is generally not bad, because if you can be treated early, then the infection can be stopped very effectively with antibiotics. However, if you leave an inflammation of the urethra or cystitis untreated, it can ascend into the kidneys and cause very painful inflammation of the cheekbones. In addition, the woman's ovaries and uterus can become inflamed, which can even lead to infertility. In men, the testicles and epididymis can become inflamed. This can also lead to infertility.
Inflammation of the prostate is also possible. You have to be very careful, especially with children and urinary tract infections. If a urinary tract infection develops in very young children or infants, the bacteria can also rise into the kidneys. This is very dangerous as these are not yet fully developed and an infection can impair their development. Therefore, the fallopian tubes should react to any inflammation as early as possible.
Consequences of bacteria in the urine
If bacteria are found in the urine, this can have a variety of consequences. If there are no further symptoms, no treatment is normally required.
An exception to this is pregnant women due to their particular risk for more severe urinary tract infections. Even an uncomplicated urinary tract infection usually heals without consequences. For various reasons, however, frequently recurring urinary tract infections can occur. A potentially dangerous consequence of a urinary tract infection is pyelonephritis, an inflammation of the kidneys. This can lead to kidney damage or sepsis.
Prostatitis as a result of bacteria in the urine
The man's prostate is just below the urinary bladder. The urethra runs in the center of the prostate. This is why pathogens can easily spread to the prostate in the event of a urinary tract infection. If this causes the prostate to become inflamed, one speaks of bacterial prostatitis. It can be acute or chronic.
Symptoms include abdominal pain, problems urinating, and sexual dysfunction. Prostatitis can be treated with antibiotics. This prevents chronification and most complications. The symptoms usually subside quickly with the treatment.
prophylaxis
You can do a lot yourself to prevent bacteria from appearing in the urine. It is important, especially as a woman, to wipe the back of the toilet. You should never wipe from the back to the front, because then the intestinal bacteria are transported towards the urethral entrance. If the immune system is somewhat weakened, or the wall of the urethra is otherwise irritated, it is easy for bacteria to penetrate the urinary tract. Furthermore you should unprotected sex as good as possible avoid, especially when it comes to new sexual partners. You don't just run the risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases like HIV or hepatitis but also bacteria that irritate the urinary tract.
Catheters should be changed regularly and should be used with bedridden people hygiene respect, think highly of. In addition, you should have urinary or kidney stones checked regularly and remove them surgically if necessary. It is also important to drink a lot.
If you feel the first signs, it is important to consult a doctor immediately. In this way you can avoid inflammation of the kidneys and also avoid severe symptoms. In addition, the same applies here - the better the immune system, the less likely it is to get sick.
Are bacteria in urine contagious?
Bacterial diseases are always potentially contagious. If the bacterial pathogens manage to jump over to another host, they can trigger a disease there too.
In principle, this is also possible with urinary tract infections, but rarely.
The most common transmission route is smear infections. The bacteria are not transmitted directly. Sources of infection are, for example, the door handles of public toilets. Bacteria can get onto the hands and back by touching the genital area.
Sufficient hand hygiene therefore greatly reduces the risk of infection. Basically, urinary tract infections can also spread through sexual intercourse. However, transmission between men and women is only possible in exceptional cases.
Bacteria in the urine during pregnancy
Bacteria in the urine are not uncommon in pregnant women and often cause a urinary tract infection. During pregnancy, the urinary tract is often pinched and narrowed because the uterus (uterus) enlarges significantly.
Pregnancy hormones such as progesterone promote this process. The narrowing sometimes leads to urine outflow problems, which makes it easier for bacteria to settle.
In addition, the composition of the urine changes. This means that the pH value changes and a more hostile environment is created for bacteria.
Inflammation of the urethra or cystitis may develop.
If these infections remain untreated, it can lead to kidney inflammation. Such inflammation is dangerous during pregnancy and should be treated urgently. Penicillin supplements can be taken without any problems.
A common symptom of pelvic inflammation is kidney pain.
Read more about this at: Kidney Pain During Pregnancy
Unfortunately, pelvic inflammation can have far-reaching consequences. In addition to kidney failure, blood poisoning can also occur, or premature labor at a late stage of pregnancy.
Regular urine tests are performed to prevent urinary tract infections. There are test strips for this that you can get yourself from the pharmacy.
Differences in men and women
Urinary tract infections affect women much more often than men. The reason for this lies in the different anatomy of the two sexes.
The woman's urethra is about 4 inches long. In men, the length of the urethra is five times, i.e. about 20 centimeters. In addition, the outer opening of the urethra in women is relatively close to the anus. For men, this distance is significantly longer due to the different anatomy.
So-called uncomplicated urinary tract infections are therefore very rare in men. The likelihood of developing a urinary tract infection increases with age. Urinary tract infections can occur in men as a result of various previous illnesses. Often these affect the flow of urine through the urinary tract. If the prostate is enlarged, it can narrow the urinary tract, making it difficult to urinate. Since bacteria are no longer flushed out with the urine, a urinary tract infection can now occur.
Urinary tract infections in men should be examined by a doctor. The proportion of so-called complicated urinary tract infections is higher in men than in women. In men, the prostate is located below the urinary bladder. Bacteria that migrate through the urethra can therefore easily trigger inflammation of the prostate. This is very painful and should be treated by a doctor.
