Uti And Flu Like Symptoms

Treatment For More Severe Utis

Kids with a more severe infection may need treatment in a hospital so they can get antibiotics by injection or IV .

This might happen if:

• the child has high fever or looks very ill, or a kidney infection is likely
• the child is younger than 6 months old
• bacteria from the infected urinary tract may have spread to the blood
• the child is dehydrated or is vomiting and cannot take any fluids or medicine by mouth

Kids with VUR will be watched closely by the doctor. VUR might be treated with medicines or, less commonly, surgery. Most kids outgrow mild forms of VUR, but some can develop kidney damage or kidney failure later in life.

Recognizing A Kidney Infection

When you have a UTI that spreads to your kidneys, youll probably have symptoms in your lower urinary tract first. But the following symptoms indicate that your kidneys may also be affected:

Fever and Chills A UTI thats limited to your lower urinary tract usually doesnt cause flu-like symptoms, but when it spreads to your kidneys, your bodys immune system tends to kick into higher gear.

Pain in Your Lower Back or Side Your kidneys are located on each side of your body in the lower part of your torso. A kidney infection can cause pain on one or both sides of your body, or more general pain in your lower back.

Pain caused by a kidney infection can range from mild to severe.

Nausea and Vomiting These symptoms, like fever and chills, indicate an infection thats more severe and advanced than a typical UTI.

Abdominal or Pelvic Pain An infection in your abdominal region, such as in your kidneys, can cause your abdominal muscles to contract, causing pain.

Your pelvic or groin area may also be painful due to muscle contraction.

Cloudy or Smelly Urine While its possible for an infection in your lower urinary tract to cause changes in your urine, if its noticeably cloudy or smells foul, thats an indication your UTI may have progressed to your kidneys.

Cloudy urine may indicate the presence of pus, a thick, white or yellow liquid that can form in areas of infection.

Heres When To Seek Medical Care

If you come down with flu-like symptoms it is important to visit a PhysicianOne Urgent Care center within the first day or two so that you can receive antiviral medication if it is indeed the flu. We can provide a rapid flu test to confirm if what youre suffering from is the flu. The test has a 50% 80% accuracy rate, however, so we will also use our clinical judgement to determine your diagnosis. We will then provide the best course of treatment based on your symptoms and the results of your exam.It is important to note a person with flu-like symptoms who is under age 2 or over 65 or who has an underlying medical condition should always get medical care as soon as possible. These people are more likely to develop complications from their illness, whether its influenza or not, so proper medical evaluation and supervision is important.

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Treating A Yeast Infection

Yeast infections are treated using antifungal medications. These are available in many forms, such as clotrimazole and miconazole, which are available over the counter. There is also an oral medication, fluconazole , available as a prescription if you prefer a pill to a vaginal cream or suppository.

What Are Symptoms Of A Uti

For patients, the first question is when to see a doctor after feeling the initial symptoms. Typically, these symptoms are burning pain with urination, urgency and frequency of urination, and pain above the pubic bone.

Our bodies sometimes can clear these infections on their own, said Elodi Joy Dielubanza, MD, a urologist in Brigham and Womens Hospitals Division of Urology.

But if symptoms do not get better within a couple of days, contact a doctor. Antibiotics may relieve symptoms shortly after you begin taking them.

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Other Methods That Prevent Bladder Infections:

Drink a glass of 100% cranberry juice daily Drink water

Clove

You can make a blend of your favorites or use them alone in your favorite diffuser. These essential oils contain healing properties that might benefit your ability to fight your infection. If you use them topically, you should use a carrier oil.

Treatment For Utis Vs Kidney Infection Treatment

UTIs, including kidney infections, can be treated with a course of antibiotics. The type of antibiotic can depend on the type of bacteria thats causing your infection as well as how severe your infection is.

The doctor will often start you on an antibiotic that works against a wide variety of UTI-causing bacteria. If a urine culture is performed, the doctor may switch your antibiotic to one thats most effective at treating the specific bacterium thats causing your infection.

Simple UTIs can be treated with short 3- to 5-day courses of antibiotics. Treatment for kidney infections generally lasts 7 to 14 days, depending on which class of antibiotic is prescribed.

You may begin to feel better after only a few days on antibiotics. However, you should still make sure that you complete your entire treatment course as prescribed. If you do not take all of your antibiotics, the stronger bacteria may not be killed, causing your infection to persist and flare up again.

If youre pregnant, your doctor may also request a repeat urine sample following a kidney infection, even if your symptoms have resolved. This allows them to check to see whether your infection has completely cleared.

If there are still bacteria present in the sample, you may need another course of antibiotics. Persistence of bacteria can potentially harm an unborn baby.

People with severe kidney infections may need to be hospitalized. In this case, you may receive antibiotics and fluids intravenously.

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When To Seek Medical Advice

You may find your UTI symptoms are mild and pass within a few days. However, you should see your GP if you find your symptoms very uncomfortable or if they last for more than five days.

Also see your GP if you have a UTI and:

• you develop a high temperature
• your symptoms suddenly get worse
• you are pregnant
• you have diabetes

Signs Of A Kidney Infection

What does a kidney infection feel like? According to the NIDDK, the most common kidney infections symptoms are:

But depending on a persons age, they may not experience all of these kidney infection symptoms. Children younger than two may only experience high fever as a sign of kidney infections, the NIDDK says, and people older than 65 might only present with cognitive issues, like confusion, hallucinations, and disorganized speech.

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My Experience With Unexplained Bladder Pain

When I wrote this article in 2012, I had just recovered after suffering from very distressing urinary symptoms for months. I was going to the bathroom every ten minutes, and the only time I felt better was when I was actually peeing. I could not sleep at all, I was mentally distraught and was struggling to function in my daily life.

While I was suffering, I was desperately searching the Internet for some kind of advice. I had to really dig deep to get anything at all. That is what prompted me to write this article.

I am happy to see that now there is actually some advice available from medical websites such as Web MD. I hope this means that doctors are better informed about this problem and that it is leading to better medical care and less suffering. Still, I think it is helpful to hear about the experience from a patient who has been through it and recovered. The doctor’s don’t know what you are going through, but I do.

Some of the subjects I will cover are:

• Symptom relief
• The causes of urinary problems
• Where to turn for help
• What to eat and which foods to avoid
• Supplements I used

Many people have read this article, and many have left their stories in the comments section, where you will find lots of helpful advice. If you are currently suffering, I hope you find something here that will lighten your burden.

What Causes A Kidney Infection

Kidney infections are caused by bacteria or viruses.

Scientists believe that most kidney infections start as a bladder infection that moves upstream to infect one or both of your kidneys. Most often, the infection is caused by bacteria that normally live in your bowel. The urinary tract has several ways to prevent infection from moving up the urinary tract. For example, urination most often flushes out bacteria before it reaches the bladder. Sometimes your body cant fight the bacteria and the bacteria cause a UTI. If you dont get medical treatment to stop the infection, the bacteria may infect your kidneys.

In some cases, your blood can carry bacteria or viruses from another part of your body to your kidneys.

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Is There A Test That Can Tell Me If I Have A Uti

Diagnosing a UTI involves testing your urine . This can be done in the doctors office or lab, and it looks for bacteria, white blood cells, and red blood cells in the urine.

This test is sometimes followed by a urine culture, which sees what bacteria are actually growing in the urinary tract and helps your healthcare provider select the best treatment.

If you have complicated or frequent UTIs, your healthcare provider may order additional tests. These include a study to see your urinary tract or a cystoscopy, which is a small tube to see inside the urethra and bladder.

Signs And Symptoms You Might Have A Kidney Infection

A kidney infection originates from the bladder or the urethra . The bacteria can travel through the ureter, which is what connects the kidney to the bladder, and infect the organ. The Inflammation of the kidney due to a bacterial infection is called pyelonephritis. If the infection in the bladder or urethra is treated in time, the bacteria should not go up to the kidneys but if ignored for 2-3 days or more and the patient has a fever, the microbes probably ended up in the kidney resulting in pyelonephritis, Dr. Prince Mohan, M.D., medical director of transplant nephrology, Geisinger Health System, says.

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Why Don’t Doctors Believe Women With Urinary Symptoms

For many years doctors were taught that urinary symptoms with no discernible cause were psychosomatic. As late as 1984, they questioned whether interstitial cystitis was even a real medical disorder.

Studies showed that women with such symptoms were anxious and depressed. Gee, I wonder why that would be? I think the medical community has been far too ready to dismiss symptoms they can’t explain as being “all in your head.”

It’s encouraging that the doctors are becoming more aware of these “invisible” problems and trying to address them.

How Long Do Utis Last In Children

The childs symptoms may disappear in a day or two with appropriate treatment, and the infection might resolve in around a week .

Timely treatment and completing the entire course of prescribed treatment are pivotal to complete recovery of UTIs in children. Not completing the entire course of antibiotics may lead to a recurrence of infection. Do not wait before consulting your doctor if you notice your childs symptoms worsen after treatment.

References:

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What Are The Symptoms Of Ic

If you have urinary frequency and urgency, urethral burning, and pelvic pain, you probably have cystitis, which is bladder inflammation. These are pretty common symtoms, but if they don’t go away and no other cause can be found for them, then there is a possibility that it may be interstitial cystitis.

Some people with IC experience UTI-like symptoms constantly while others experience it intermittently. IC can cause pain during intercourse and can be accompanied by other health issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and other pain-related disorders.

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Do You Think You Have A Bladder Infection Here’s What You Need To Know

Risk FactorsSexually active:Pregnant:Menopausal:Diabetic:Suffering from kidney stones:Experiencing prolonged use of catheters:Diagnosis and TreatmentUTI PreventionDont hold your urine.Urinate before and after sex.Wipe from front to backStay hydrated to allow your urethra to flush itself out.Do not douche or use feminine hygiene products. Wear cotton underwear that is breathable.Take showers instead of baths.If you have suffered with multiple UTIs, this is an indication to see a Urologist or Advance practice Provider to find the underlying cause.

Preventing Utis And Yeast Infections

Urinary tract infections and yeast infections can be safely and easily treated. However, if you have experienced either of these conditions, you know just how uncomfortable they can be.

Luckily, there are some things you can do to try to prevent these infections.

• In addition to staying hydrated, proper bathroom hygiene, such as remembering to wipe from front to back, can reduce the chance of bacteria entering the urinary tract.

• Urinating after sex naturally flushes bacteria from your urinary tract that may have found their way there during intercourse.

• Avoid using douches or sprays, as they can kill good bacteria that keeps your vagina healthy.

• Wear underwear and clothing that is made from natural materials to prevent bacteria or yeast buildup.

• When exercising or after enduring a hot day, be sure to change out of sweaty clothes and shower as soon as you can.

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Myth: Hygiene Habits And Clothing Fit Contribute To Utis

You may have heard that certain hygiene practices are risk factors for UTIs, particularly for women. But UTIs are not caused by how you wipe in the bathroom, by tampon use or by failing to empty your bladder after sexual intercourse. Theyre also not caused by wearing tight clothes.

A lot of women express concern about these, said Dr. Dielubanza. But studies have shown there is no association between these practices and UTIs.

Some Hot Drinks You Can Try

• Have hot vanilla milk in the morning instead of coffee. Just put a drop of pure vanilla extract and a little sugar or honey in a mug of hot milk.
• Some good tea options are marshmallow root, chamomile, catnip, licorice, ginger, or peppermint. They are usually well tolerated and can be beneficial. Make your teas weak until you are sure they don’t bother you.
• Sometimes, just sipping a cup of hot water is comforting, and it helps keep you hydrated.

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What Symptoms Are Associated With A Uti

Urinary tract infections dont always have symptoms, and the symptoms can depend on where the infection is.

Some common symptoms associated with a lower tract UTI include:

• Pain or burning during urination

• Frequent and urgent urination

• Pain in the pelvic area

• Waking at night to urinate

• Blood in the urine

When the upper tract is involved, symptoms can include:

• Pain in your back or side

• Fevers and chills

• Nausea or vomiting

Heres How To Treat Flu

Though there are no medications available to treat a viral flu-like illness, there are over-the-counter medications and other methods that can help to ease your symptoms. They include:

• A combination cold medication can help to relieve many of the symptoms of colds and other flu-like illnesses, including fever, cough and congestion.
• Steam from a humidifier or shower can also be helpful in relieving a stuffy nose and soothing achy muscles.
• Be sure to drink plenty of water and stay well-hydrated viruses can quickly cause dehydration.
• Get plenty of rest your body needs it to fight off the virus or infection.

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Truth: Being Female Is The Biggest Risk Factor For Utis

UTIs generally are caused by bacteria that live in the colon, especially the rectum. The short length of the female urethra places its opening close to bacterial reservoirs , making women more vulnerable to infection.

In truth, being female is simply the strongest risk factor for UTIs, says Dr. Dielubanza.

Another trigger particular to women is hormonal change with age. Until menopause, vaginal flora includes protective bacteria. But when estrogen drops during menopause, the pH of the vagina changes, and the good flora cannot thrive there as easily. Without these good bacteria, the bad bacteria can more easily flourish in postmenopausal women.

Men are not immune to UTIs, but they are less likely to have them. This is because their longer urethras present a challenge to bacteria entry. However, as men age and begin to empty their bladders less efficiently due to prostate enlargement, urinary tract infections can become more common.

A trigger for UTIs in both men and women is use of any medical instrument near the urethra, including a catheter to drain urine.