Infections are something that can be difficult to avoid in humans. Humans are certainly not the only creature or organism to live in this world. The fact there are many other organisms including pathogenic microorganisms will always risk human health. Medicine is usually needed in many cases of infection. One kind of infection that you may not be familiar with is urosepsis. Urosepsis is considered to be a serious infection which will often need medicine in treatment.
Urosepsis is combination of two words or “uro” “sepsis”. In general, the word “uro” refers to the urinary tract “sepsis” is a life-threatening infection. Thus, urosepsis is a condition where sepsis is caused infections to the urinary tract. Ironically, it is estimated that almost 25% of sepsis cases stemmed from urogenital tract. Do you know what comprise of the urinary tract? It includes the kidney, bladder, ureter urethra. Urinary tract in is involved with the urinary system to do perform many functions such as removing waste from the blood through urine, regulate blood volume pressure balance chemicals with electrolytes in the body. We can say that urosepsis is a condition that will cause these functions to deteriorate as it affected the infection within the urinary tract.
Urosepsis is considered as a dangerous condition as it can lead to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome or even death. Despite this, it is said that the death rate for urosepsis is far lower when compared to other sepsis in general. This is because it is believed that lesser degree of tissue damage is associated with urological surgical procedure in eliminating the source of infection. Urosepsis is more likely to occur in the ageing population. Even though that severity of the disease may appear to increase when it is associated with acute kidney injury, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Risk factors for urosepsis include those aged 65 above, presence of diabetes, prior urological intervention, those with immunosuppression such as from organ transplantation, chemotherapy or steroid treatment last but not least, acquired urinary tract infection from being hospitalised in a urology ward. The most common cause for the urinary tract infection leading to urosepsis is Escherichia coli. Infections typically begin with the colonisation of the bacteria from the urethra or vaginal opening via the urethra into the bladder. The infection may spread further up to the kidney to be causing pyelonephritis. When these infections are left untreated affect the kidney, this is the hallmark of the urosepsis to begin.
Urosepsis can be presented in an array of signs symptoms. This is because it depends on the infection of the different parts of the urogenital tract. For example, if patients are presented with infection to the bladder known as cystitis, symptoms such as increased urination, feeling burning when urinating pain to the suprapubic area (area located below the belly button) are among signs common with cystitis. Patients with kidney infection such as pyelonephritis typically presented with fever, flank pain, nausea or vomiting. This shows that urosepsis can be causing many symptoms of the urinary tract infection apart from the common symptoms of sepsis. Common signs or symptoms of sepsis include chills, increased heart rate, breathing difficulty, changes in alertness, extreme pain or discomfort profuse sweating. Severe sepsis may cause a person to have little to no urine.
Due to the fact that urosepsis can lead to serious life-threatening conditions, treatment must be given in time to avoid organ dysfunction. Treatment includes supportive treatment of stabilisation of the patient’s general condition such as fluid therapy, maintaining blood pressure ensuring good oxygen saturation. Apart from supportive treatment, adjunctive treatments are typically given together. This includes glucocorticoid insulin. Antibiotics treatment usually begins as soon as possible but often when blood urine cultures have been collected. It is important for antibiotics to be given in a timely manner as studies show that each hour of delay in antibiotics is associated with lower chances for survival. Patients who are already at risk for urinary tract infection should get immediate medical attention if there are symptoms related to the urinary tract infection.
It can be concluded that urosepsis is a condition where sepsis is caused infection in the urogenital system. Urosepsis is among the lowest rates for patients dying from the condition when compared to other kinds of sepsis. Urosepsis can be presented with many signs or symptoms depending on the affected part of the urogenital system. It is a treatable condition but delayed in treatment may actually lead to severe complications such as kidney failure, septic shock or death. The best way to avoid urosepsis is to take preventive steps against urinary tract infection such as washing hands before after using the toilet, drinking plenty of water, not to hold in urine for long time to wiping from front to back after finishing business in the toilet.
