Infections are the most common complication in patients in intensive care units. Despite the presence of a large number of antibacterial drugs in the doctor’s arsenal, the results of infection treatment remain unsatisfactory.
Causes of UTI
The most common factors causing UTIs (urinary tract infections) are bacteria, less often viruses, fungi or parasites. The prevalence of certain types of bacteria isolated from the urine of patients largely depends on the studied population (Tian et al., 2020). Most often, Escherichia coli acts as a microbial pathogen, which is almost always present on the external genitalia. Bacteria enter the urinary tract ascending through the urethra, then into the bladder and then into the kidneys. Regardless of the level of the urinary system that the bacteria have reached, they can cause inflammation. (Edwardson & Cairns, 2019)
Treatment
General principles of treatment of urinary infections: 1. Antibacterial treatment. 2. When choosing a drug and the method of its application, the following factors are taken into account: 3. drug sensitivity of the bacterial strain; 4. patient tolerance of the drug; 5. severity of infection; 6. medical expenses. (Wang et al., 2019) Symptomatic treatment depending on the type of ailment: 1. bed rest; 2. regular and complete emptying of the bladder; 3. painkillers, antispasmodics; 4. fluid intake (diuresis of more than 1.5 liters per day); 5. rejection of nephrotoxic drugs.
Prevention
Drinking a sufficient amount of liquid helps to wash out bacteria along with urine. • Do not tolerate for a long time when there is an urge to urinate – prolonged stagnation of urine in the bladder increases the risk of infection. • Women are recommended to wash in the direction from front to back (from the pubis to the anus) (Nimer, 2022)
References
Edwardson, S., & Cairns, C. (2019). Nosocomial infections in the ICU. Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine, 20(1), 14-18. Web.
Nimer, N. A. (2022). Nosocomial infection and antibiotic-resistant threat in the middle east. Infection and drug resistance, 15, 631-639. Web.
Tian, H., Chen, L., Wu, X., Li, F., Ma, Y., Cai, Y., & Song, S. (2020). Infectious complications in severe acute pancreatitis: pathogens, drug resistance, and status of nosocomial infection in a university-affiliated teaching hospital. Digestive diseases and sciences, 65, 2079-2088. Web.
Wang, L., Zhou, K. H., Chen, W., Yu, Y., & Feng, S. F. (2019). Epidemiology and risk factors for nosocomial infection in the respiratory intensive care unit of a teaching hospital in China: A prospective surveillance during 2013 and 2015. BMC infectious diseases, 19(1), 1-9. Web.