When do I have to go to hospital? | Urinary tract infection

When do I have to go to hospital?

In the presence of a urinary tract infection, hospitalization is rarely necessary. However, babies and toddlers with urinary tract infections in poor general condition may require inpatient treatment. Inflammation of the renal pelvis is a severe clinical picture, which may also require in-patient treatment.

For otherwise healthy patients, antibiotic and fever-lowering outpatient therapy is usually also possible. However, pyelonephritis may require in-patient treatment, especially in elderly patients who are already ill or elderly. In patients in whom a urinary tract infection has developed into urosepsis, i.e. the bacteria have spread into the blood, hospital treatment with intravenous antibiotic therapy is often necessary. These patients may need to be closely monitored in the intensive care unit.In general, however, a simple cystitis, whether uncomplicated or complicated, does not need to be treated in hospital for otherwise physically fit people.

Duration

An uncomplicated cystitis lasts from a few days to a week. The pain is particularly pronounced in the first 3-4 days. Under antibiotic therapy they usually subside somewhat faster, i.e. without therapy.

Complicated urinary tract infections, which should always be treated with antibiotics, do not necessarily last less long because of the antibiotic treatment, but the symptoms may become less severe sooner. Thus, if antibiotic therapy is started quickly, a significant reduction in symptoms can be expected after about 1-2 days. Inflammation of the renal pelvis is a severe clinical picture, which in most cases lasts for 1-2 weeks.

An antibiotic treatment should be started as soon as possible. The symptoms then usually subside slowly within 3-5 days. However, taking antipyretic and painkillers will help to control the symptoms by the time the antibiotic effect sets in.

How contagious is a urethral infection?

A urethral infection or urethritis is a disease that is often transmitted through sexual contact. It is therefore highly contagious. A distinction is made between gonorrheic and non-gonorrheic urethritis.

The gonorrheic form is caused by an infection with the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This disease is better known as gonorrhea. It is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases.

Transmission can occur directly through the intimate area but also through the oral or anal mucosa during oral or anal intercourse. An infection of the eyes is also possible. Gonorrhea is a highly contagious disease.

The use of condoms can significantly reduce the rate of infection, but if they are not used properly, there is still a risk of infection through smear infection. Besides gonorrheic urethritis, there is also non-gonorrheic urethritis. It is most frequently caused by Chlamydia.

This type of urethritis is much more common than gonorrhea. The infection occurs through unprotected sexual intercourse. In the case of antibiotic treatment after infection, the sexual partner must usually also be treated as otherwise a mutual infection is always possible.