Urinary tract infections in pregnant women. Modern approaches to treatment

When you hear the phrase " infection urinary tract during pregnancy" (UTI), you're probably thinking about bladder infections and their accompanying symptoms, such as a frequent urge to urinate and a burning sensation when you empty your bladder. Indeed, this condition, called cystitis, is quite common among sexually active women from 18 to 45 years of age. However, this is not the entire list of urinary system infections!

In fact, an infection can develop in any part of your urinary tract, which begins in the kidneys where urine is produced, continues with tubes called ureters that carry urine down into the bladder, and ends at the urethra, a short tube that carries urine out of the bladder. limits of the body.

UTIs are typically caused by bacteria picked up from the skin, vagina, or rectum and travel up the length of the urinary tract through the urethra. Bacteria often stop in bladder and multiply there, causing inflammation (cystitis) and leading to symptoms known to almost every person.

But bacteria can travel higher up from the bladder, all the way to the ureters, leading to infection of one or both kidneys. Kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is the most common serious complication of pregnancy. Such an infection can spread throughout the entire circulatory system and become life-threatening for the expectant mother.

A kidney infection can also have serious consequences for the baby. It increases the risk premature birth, the birth of a low birth weight baby, and also increases the risk of stillbirth and death of the newborn.

It also happens that in the presence of infections urinary tract during pregnancy, that is, if there are bacteria in the urine test, the woman notices absolutely no symptoms. This condition is known as "asymptomatic bacteriuria." When you are not pregnant, this condition usually does not cause problems and often goes away on its own. But during pregnancy, undetected and untreated asymptomatic bacteriuria significantly increases the risk of developing a kidney infection and associated premature birth, and can also lead to a woman having a low birth weight baby. It is for these reasons that a pregnant woman must have her urine tested before each visit to her doctor.

Pregnancy itself significantly increases the risk of getting a kidney infection. And here's why: more high level the hormone progesterone decreases muscle tone ureters (tubes between the kidneys and bladder), which leads to their expansion and slower flow of urine. In addition, the enlarged uterus can put pressure on the ureters, making it difficult for urine to pass through them. Your bladder also loses tone during pregnancy. This makes it difficult to completely empty the bladder, and the bladder itself becomes more prone to reflux, a condition in which some urine backs up into the kidneys.

The result of these changes is that urine takes longer to pass through the urinary tract, thereby giving bacteria more time to multiply and travel to the kidneys. Moreover, during pregnancy, your urine becomes less acidic and contains glucose, which creates the most favorable conditions for bacteria to grow.

Symptoms of a urinary tract infection

Symptoms of all urinary tract infections during pregnancy are almost the same, so we will present the most common symptoms of bladder inflammation (cystitis). General symptoms of inflammatory processes in the bladder are as follows:

• discomfort, burning or pain during urination and sexual intercourse (not always);
• pain in the pelvic area or lower abdomen (most often just above the pubic bone);
• an overwhelming or frequent urge to urinate, even if there is very little urine in the bladder.

You may also find that your urine has become bad smell or looks cloudy, or you may notice traces of blood in it. You may have low-grade fever(about 37.2°), but most often the temperature remains normal.

Since frequent urge to go to the toilet is a fairly common occurrence during pregnancy, a woman may not notice in time that she has cystitis, especially if the symptoms of infection are mild.

If you notice signs indicating a possible kidney infection, you should consult a doctor immediately. Symptoms of a kidney infection often appear quite suddenly and usually include:

• high temperature, accompanied by fever, heavy sweating or chills;
• pain in the back, in the lumbar region;
• pain in the side, in the hypochondrium, which can be localized on one or both sides;
• abdominal pain;
• nausea and vomiting.

You may also notice blood or pus in your urine, and you may have some of the symptoms of cystitis.

Asymptomatic bacteriuria during pregnancy

Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women often leads to premature birth and very low birth weight of the newborn baby. If bacteriuria is not treated, then the probability of developing a kidney infection reaches 40%, however, with adequate treatment, the risk decreases sharply and ranges from 1 to 4%.

To find out if there are bacteria in your urinary tract, your doctor will first give you general analysis urine (OAM), but if abnormalities are detected in it, then you will need to undergo and. In addition, you may need an ultrasound of the renal pelvis to identify abnormalities in their structure and functioning.

If a urine test for the presence of bacteria gives positive result, you, which are safe to take during pregnancy. A full course of such antibiotic therapy lasts on average about a week, and, as a rule, leads to complete elimination of the infection.

After finishing treatment, you will need to have tests repeated to make sure the infection has been cured. If suddenly the treatment turns out to be ineffective, you will be prescribed another course using a different antibiotic. If bacteriuria persists, then you will most likely be prescribed continuous use of antibiotics (at a low dose) for the rest of the pregnancy.

Treatment of cystitis in pregnant women

If you develop a bladder infection (cystitis) during pregnancy, you will be given treatment similar to that for bacteriuria, but the course will be slightly shorter (usually up to five days). Antibiotics usually relieve symptoms within a day after starting treatment, but it is still very important to complete the entire course to completely get rid of all bacteria in the urinary tract.

After treatment is completed (and periodically throughout your pregnancy), you will have a urine test to confirm the effectiveness of the therapy. If cystitis does not respond to the prescribed treatment, or if you have a relapse of the disease, then you may be prescribed low doses of antibiotics daily (until the end of pregnancy) to prevent inflammation and complications from it.

Kidney infection in pregnant women

If you develop a kidney infection while you are pregnant, you will be hospitalized and given intravenous antibiotics. In addition, your health and that of your baby will be closely monitored - doctors will evaluate a variety of parameters, including temperature, blood pressure, pulse, breathing and daily urine output, your baby's heart rate, and monitor for any signs of preterm labor.

The length of hospitalization varies depending on the specific situation. If after the first day of hospitalization it becomes clear that you have a mild form of the disease, that the prescribed treatment is effective and there is no threat of premature birth, then you may be discharged home for outpatient treatment with oral antibiotics.

If you have a severe kidney infection, you will have to stay in hospital for further treatment and monitoring. This hospitalization will last until your normal temperature, which will remain this way for two days, and all symptoms of infection will disappear.

Prevention of urinary tract infections

To prevent, you need to adhere to the following recommendations:

• Drink plenty of water, at least eight glasses per day;
• Never ignore the urge to go to the toilet, and while urinating, try to empty your bladder completely (to do this, you need to lean forward slightly);
• After defecation, wipe the anal area with movements from front to back - this will prevent bacteria from the rectum from entering the urethra;
• Maintain genital hygiene, wash your genitals with warm water and mild soap;
• Clean the genital area after urinating, as well as before and after sexual intercourse;
• Drink cranberry or lingonberry juice. Research shows that cranberry and lingonberry juice reduce the levels of bacteria and inhibit them in the urinary tract;
• Avoid intimate products feminine hygiene(such as deodorants or lubricants), and do not use toilet soap that is not intended for intimate areas. Such products can irritate the urethra and genitals, thereby creating a wonderful breeding ground for bacteria. And completely avoid contrast showers while you are pregnant.

The reproductive system is very closely related to the kidneys, for this reason they are combined into the genitourinary system. It often happens that they have the same infections.

Types of infections

The resulting kidney infection can be specific or nonspecific:

• A specific infection in the kidneys is associated with pathogens that are sexually transmitted (gonococcus, trichomonas, ureaplasma). The cause of the disease is clear. It's unprotected sexual intercourse. In men, the infection immediately enters the urethra, and from there to the overlying areas of the genitourinary system. In women, the infection from the vagina enters the urethra and then moves along the same path of the genitourinary system. Infections must be treated, as quite dangerous complications are possible.
• Nonspecific. Such infections include staphylococcus, E. coli, streptococcus, enterococcus, candidal fungus and others.

A kidney infection can spread in several ways:

• The ascending route is from the urethra and rectum during sexual intercourse.
• Descending - passes from the renal pelvis down the ureters.
• Hematogenous route - brought by blood flow from other areas.

Escherichia coli is a common causative agent of kidney infections.

Causes

When an infection enters the human body, the kidneys are the first to suffer as they try to expel it.

A weakened body cannot always cope with such a problem, so the kidneys become infected and require adequate treatment.

The most common causes infectious diseases kidney:

• Urolithiasis disease.
• Anemia.
• Penetration through the circulatory system.
• Diabetes.
• Low immunity.
• Inflammatory processes in other organs.

Also, kidney damage may be associated with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and uterus. Even dental caries can cause infection. This also includes hypothermia and improper treatment of colds.

Symptoms of a kidney infection

The presence of infectious inflammation in the kidneys can be determined by the following signs:

• General malaise.
• Pain in the lower back, abdomen and groin.
• Temperature increase.
• Frequent urination.
• Little urine is excreted, and it does not come out completely.
• Nausea.
• Loss of appetite.
• Itchy and sometimes sharp pain when urinating.
• Swelling of the face.
• The color and smell of urine changes.
• Presence.

Lower back pain is a common accompaniment of kidney infection

The most common diseases:

• Pyelonephritis is an inflammatory process in the kidneys as a result of the penetration of microorganisms. In addition, other pathologies are associated (for example, reduced immunity, kidney stones, hypothermia, inflammation in the adrenal glands and other ailments).
• Glomerulonephritis– an inflammatory process of the renal glomeruli, which develops against the background of an infectious allergy or due to the production of antibodies to one’s own organ. The spread is more common in children and adults young(up to 30 years old).

The child has infancy infections in the kidneys are more complicated and, due to weak immunity, are treated much worse. For this reason, it is necessary to consult a doctor when the first signs appear. The first symptoms will be changes in the color of urine and an increase in temperature. In addition, the child becomes capricious, sleeps poorly, refuses to eat, and does not gain weight.

During pregnancy, kidney and urinary tract infections are quite common. Since the uterus, enlarged in size, compresses the organs of the genitourinary system, thereby creating good conditions for the occurrence of pyelonephritis. Its signs are more pronounced in a pregnant woman, and complications are observed more often. Therefore, in order to avoid infection of the fetus and premature birth, the woman is placed in a hospital where she undergoes a course of treatment.

Pregnant women have an increased risk of developing kidney infection

Diagnostics

First of all, the patient's medical history is collected, an examination is performed, and a urine test is taken to find out whether there is a bacterial infection.

For complications of pyelonephritis, the patient is placed on hospital treatment. It is also necessary to draw blood for a general analysis. The kidneys are checked for the presence of stones using an ultrasound or x-ray.

If the infection is protracted, complications such as an abscess, kidney swelling, and blood poisoning may occur (the infection enters the blood). The symptoms of the complication are clearly pronounced and cannot be ignored. People who have concomitant diseases are more susceptible to the occurrence of acute pathologies.

There are also several categories of people who are at risk of complications:

• Pregnant women.
• Elderly people.
• With diabetes.
• With the presence of chronic kidney disease.
• With weak immunity.

Bacteriological culture of urine is the only way to identify the causative agent of a kidney infection

Treatment

For all infectious diseases associated with the kidneys, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and symptomatic treatment. The following medications are prescribed:

• Antibiotics - first, broad-spectrum drugs are prescribed, and when the causative agent of the disease is identified, an individually selected drug is prescribed.
• Disinfection solutions intravenously - cleanse the body and blood.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs - to eliminate inflammatory processes. This allows the patient’s condition to improve in a short period of time.
• Diuretics – to improve kidney function and prevent urinary stagnation. For this, diuretics are prescribed.
• Antihypertensive drugs - to normalize blood pressure, as a rule, they lower it.
• Antispasmodics – relieve spasms and improve urine flow during genitourinary tract infections.
• Painkillers – relieve pain.
• Antipyretics – to lower body temperature.

In the presence of chronic forms of pyelonephritis, constant relapses are observed, so it is necessary to remove the primary focus of the disease. For this, either surgical or complex therapy is used.

Urgent surgical intervention is performed if available.

During the operation, the entire kidney or part of it is removed, then a drainage is installed to ensure the release of pus.

Antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment for any kidney infection.

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Milder forms of pyelonephritis can be treated at home. Also, during treatment, you need to follow a diet that includes low salt intake, and it is also necessary to exclude protein foods.

Traditional medicine recipes are often used as an additional measure:

• It is necessary to drink at least two liters of water per day, which will increase the amount of urine output, which removes bacteria from the body.
• Drink a glass of water with a spoonful of soda dissolved in it 2-3 times a day, this will make it possible to cleanse the body of toxins.
• Eating blueberry mousse will help remove pathogenic bacteria from the body.
• Add a spoonful of vinegar to a glass of water and drink it in the morning on an empty stomach. This recipe helps stop the inflammatory process and improve digestion.

Infectious processes in the kidneys must be treated in order to avoid chronic forms of the disease, which often lead to kidney failure and can sometimes cause human disability.

Infection of the urinary system, which under normal conditions should be sterile, means the presence of microorganisms in it, followed by probable development inflammatory process. Frequency urinary tract infections in pregnant women ranges from 4 to 8%. The presence of only bacteria in the urine without visible clinical manifestations of the disease ( asymptomatic bacteriuria) occurs in 2% to 13% of cases. Diseases such as acute inflammation of the bladder ( acute cystitis) and acute kidney inflammation ( acute pyelonephritis) occur in 1-2%. Chronic kidney inflammation ( chronic pyelonephritis) occurs in 10-30% of pregnant women.

Inflammatory diseases of the lower urinary system include: acute urethritis, acute cystitis, asymptomatic bacteriuria. Inflammatory diseases of the upper urinary system are: pyelonephritis, abscess and carbuncle of the kidney. Inflammatory diseases that occur against the background of an existing pathology of the urinary system (urolithiasis, ureteral stricture, renal failure, etc.) are characterized as complicated.

The reasons that influence women's susceptibility to infection are: short urethra, proximity of the urethra to the rectum and external genitalia, changes hormonal levels. During pregnancy, conditions are additionally created for stagnation of urine and disruption of its outflow due to significant expansion of the renal pelvis, lengthening of the ureters, decreased tone and contractility of the muscles of various parts of the urinary system, and displacement of the kidneys. In addition, the outflow of urine from the kidneys is impaired due to the mechanical pressure of the pregnant uterus on the ureters. In this regard, in 1/3 of pregnant women, urine backflow from the bladder into the ureters occurs, which contributes to the spread of infectious agents to the upper parts of the urinary system.

Risk factors for developing urinary tract infections are: disordered sex life and frequent change of sexual partners, non-compliance with the rules of personal and sexual hygiene, previous inflammatory diseases of the genital organs (inflammation of the cervix, uterus and uterine appendages), the presence of foci of chronic infection in the body, endocrine pathology (diabetes mellitus), pathology of the urinary system ( urolithiasis, chronic cystitis, kidney development abnormalities).

Taking into account predisposing circumstances and risk factors for the development inflammatory diseases urinary system for all pregnant women when registering with antenatal clinic, it is advisable to conduct a screening examination including urine examination using bacterial culture .

The most common causative agent of inflammatory diseases of the urinary system is coli(80%). Other typical pathogens of this group of diseases are klebsiella , enterobacter(10-15%), and also staphylococci And streptococci (5-10%).

Asymptomatic bacteriuria characterized by the presence of bacteria in the urine without clinical manifestations of infection. This pathology is a risk factor for the development of acute pyelonephritis and requires specific antibacterial therapy. To diagnostic signs asymptomatic bacteriuria include the detection in urine of bacteria belonging to the same species, in quantities greater than and equal to 105 CFU/ml in two samples taken with an interval of more than 24 hours (3-7 days) in the absence of clinical signs of infection.

Cystitis

Acute cystitis is one of the most common inflammatory diseases of the urinary system in pregnant women and occurs mainly in the first trimester. Typical symptoms of acute cystitis are: painful urination, frequent imperative urges, pain above the pubis, the presence of blood elements in the last portion of urine. These phenomena are accompanied by such general symptoms as weakness, malaise, and a slight increase in body temperature. A urine test reveals leukocytes and bacteria.

Treatment of pregnant women, selection of the drug and its dose is carried out only by the attending physician. In the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the lower urinary tract in pregnant women use of antibacterial drugs If possible, it should be delayed beyond 12 weeks. In the second trimester, it is possible to use amoxicillin/clavulanate, 2nd generation cephalosporins (cefaclor, cefuroxime axetil), in the third trimester it is advisable use of cephalosporins 3rd and 4th generations (cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ceftibuten, cefepime, cefaperazone/sulbactam). In this case, a single dose of the drug or a short 3-day course is sufficient, after which it is necessary to conduct a repeat cultural study after 7-14 days in order to assess the effectiveness of treatment. In cases where the therapy is ineffective, a second course of treatment is carried out using other drugs. If, after the second course, there is an increase in microorganisms, it is necessary to exclude urolithiasis, diabetes and other urinary tract diseases with further appropriate treatment using monural at a dose of 3 g every 10 days or furagin at a dose of 50-100 mg 1 time per day. In addition, repeat urine tests are performed until the due date. After completion of antibacterial therapy, it is advisable to use herbal uroantiseptics (phytolysin, canephron, lingonberry leaf, cranberry juice).

Pyelonephritis is a nonspecific infectious-inflammatory process with predominant damage to the pyelocaliceal system and renal tubules, with subsequent involvement of the glomeruli and vessels, that is, the renal parenchyma, in the pathological process. During pregnancy, acute pyelonephritis most often develops at the end of the second trimester of pregnancy, and after childbirth, the risk of its development remains for 2-3 weeks. There are acute (serous and purulent) and chronic (latent and recurrent) pyelonephritis.

Diagnostic signs of acute pyelonephritis are such clinical manifestations such as fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, pain in the lumbar region, dysuria. Leukocytes and bacteria are detected in the urine. Most often, acute pyelonephritis affects the right kidney. This is due to the fact that the right ovarian vein runs anterior to the ureter and, dilating during pregnancy, puts additional pressure on the ureter. In addition, the pregnant uterus turns to the right and also compresses the right ureter. In cases where treatment is ineffective, inflammation can spread to the left kidney.

To identify acute or chronic pyelonephritis, it is widely used ultrasonography. Sonographic signs of acute pyelonephritis are: an increase in the size of the kidney, a decrease in the echogenicity of the kidney parenchyma due to edema, rounded areas of reduced echogenicity, which represent the kidney pyramids affected by inflammation, expansion of the pyelocaliceal system, signs of edema of the perinephric tissue. In a chronic, advanced process, ultrasound shows a decrease in the size of the kidney with a relative increase in the area of ​​the pyelocaliceal system in relation to its parenchyma, heterogeneity of the echostructure of the renal parenchyma, uneven contours of the kidneys, and expansion of the renal pyelocaliceal system are revealed.

In the presence of acute or exacerbation of chronic pyelonephritis, all pregnant women should be immediately hospitalized to specialized institutions. In the hospital, a bacteriological examination of blood and urine is carried out, the excretory function of the kidneys is monitored, and their function is assessed. Antibacterial therapy is carried out by intravenous or intramuscular administration of antibiotics. If there is no improvement within 48-72 hours, it is necessary to exclude complicated kidney diseases, severe impairment of urine outflow through the ureters, or resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics. As antibacterial therapy for pyelonephritis, use: amoxicillin/clavulanate 1.2 g 3-4 times a day, orally 625 mg 3 times a day, or cefuroxime sodium IV or IM 0.75-1.5 g - 3 times a day, or cefotaxime IV or IM 1 g 2 times a day, or ceftriaxone 1-2 g 1 time a day, or cefixime 400 mg 1 time a day. As an alternative regimen, aztreonam 1 g intravenously 3 times a day or thiene intramuscularly 500 mg 2 times a day can be used.

For the treatment of acute pyelonephritis in the postpartum period, the drugs of choice are: amoxicillin/clavulanate IV 1.2 g 3 times a day, then orally 625 mg 3 times a day, or levofloxacin IV, orally 500 mg 1 time a day day or ofloxacin IV, orally 200 mg 2 times a day or pefloxacin IV, orally 400 mg 2 times a day. Treatment of acute pyelonephritis should last at least 2-3 weeks. The criteria for cure are the absence of clinical symptoms and a threefold negative bacteriological examination of urine 5-7 days after discontinuation of antibiotics.

Prevention of pyelonephritis aims to identify early signs disease and prevention of its exacerbation. Among the methods of preventing urinary tract infections and, in particular, acute pyelonephritis, the most significant is drinking too much and sour(1.5-2 liters of liquid, cranberry or lingonberry juice). In high-risk women, it is also advisable use of herbal remedies including canephron, lingonberry leaf, bearberry, phytolysin.

Learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatment of infectious diseases in expectant mothers.

About 10 percent of pregnant women, at one stage or another during pregnancy, experience urinary tract infections. The good news is that while this infection is very easy to catch, it is also easy to treat with antibiotics. However, we are talking about early treatment diseases, but if the disease is advanced, it will be more difficult to get rid of the annoying infection.

If left untreated, about 25% of asymptomatic urinary tract infections lead to kidney infection, a condition that is life-threatening for both the baby and the mother. That is why, throughout pregnancy, it is so important to take urine tests so that your obstetrician-gynecologist can identify such a dangerous enemy in time.

What are urinary tract infections (UTIs)?

The urinary system consists of the urethra, bladder, ureters and kidneys. An infection occurs when bacteria enters the system and begins to multiply. Most UTIs are bladder infections and are not dangerous if treated promptly.

If an infection in the bladder is not eliminated, it can travel higher to the kidneys and cause serious complications, such as premature birth, sepsis, or the birth of a baby with a significantly lower weight.

Let's name a few of the most common urinary tract infections:

• cystitis (complicated and uncomplicated),
• pyelonephritis,
• urethritis,
• bacteriuria.

What causes UTIs during pregnancy?

In most cases, sex is to blame. It is during love games and sex itself that bacteria enter the urethra from the vagina or anus. A busy sex life can lead to inflammation of the bladder, which makes it easier for bacteria to “colonize” it.

Among the causes of UTI, irregular urination has also been noted, since urination effectively removes microbes from the urethra and bladder, as well as chronic diseases, such as diabetes or neutropenia, for example.

Pregnancy does not cause UTIs, but the physical changes a pregnant woman's body undergoes make you more vulnerable to infections. For starters, the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy slow down. ideal conditions for bacteria that are associated with IMS (usually Escherichia coli, known as E. coli). Increased level progesterone relaxes the muscles of the urinary system, so bacteria easily rise up the bladder and penetrate the kidneys faster than non-pregnant women. An enlarged uterus makes it difficult to empty the bladder completely, resulting in favorable conditions for the proliferation of microbes. It is the enlargement of the uterus that most often leads to the occurrence of pyelonephritis in pregnant women (inflammation of the renal pelvis) - the most dangerous infection urinary tract.

What are the symptoms of UTI?

Some UTIs are completely asymptomatic; this course of infection is called asymptomatic. Typically, your obstetrician-gynecologist will periodically test your urine to detect UTIs.

Common symptoms of UTI include:

• sudden urge to urinate
• painful sensations, burning sensations during urination,
• urine with unpleasant smell or with cloud-like sediment in it,
• urine with blood,
• pain in the groin.

Treatment

The good news is that UTIs are easy to treat. Your obstetrician-gynecologist will select the appropriate antibiotics based on your current condition. The choice of antibiotics will also take into account the duration of pregnancy and the presence of allergies. Most often, pregnant women are prescribed drugs such as fosfomycin trometamol, amoxicillin or nitrofurantoin for 7-14 days, depending on the complexity of the case.

Preventing urinary tract infections

There are no methods that would 100 percent help prevent the occurrence of such infections during pregnancy. To reduce the risk of such occurrences you will:

• Proper hygiene - remember to use sanitary napkins after every urination to prevent the spread of bacteria.
• Drink enough fluids - timely urination will help eliminate germs in the bladder and urethra.
• Empty your bladder promptly and completely - don’t rush when going to the toilet, make sure to “eliminate” all the urine
• watch your diet - caffeine and chocolate are substances that can lead to bladder irritation and inflammation, and therefore it will be much easier for bacteria to stay in it for a long time
• Drink cranberry juice - this berry helps prevent the appearance of E. Coli in the bladder. Talk to your obstetrician/gynecologist about taking special cranberry capsules or pills.

Do not ignore the occurrence of even minor infectious infections of the genitourinary organs. They can lead to serious consequences.

Urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections are common in pregnant women. About 10% of them suffer from various infectious diseases, the cause of which, however, is not always pathogenic microorganisms. The disease can also occur due to hypothermia and, what most often happens, due to dehydration. The water your baby needs to thrive comes from your blood, so you should drink more fluids. If you don't drink enough, your blood becomes thicker and your urine irritates your urinary tract.

Symptoms

• You feel a slight burning sensation when urinating. The presence of pathogenic microbes in urine can be quickly determined using a control strip of special tests. The detection of nitrites in urine serves as a signal of infectious infection.
• You have a frequent urge to urinate, both day and night, during which you experience a sharp burning sensation. This Clinical signs infectious infection.

In any case, you should consult a doctor. You will have to do a urine test to check for pathogens. Most often this is Escherichia coli, which lives in the intestines of a healthy person, for the normal functioning of which it is necessary. The penetration of E. coli into the urinary tract causes colibacillosis, a disease that requires special treatment. Urinary tract infections can also be caused by other microorganisms.
If microbes are found in the urine, the doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment.
Do not self-medicate using medications previously prescribed in a similar case. The disease may be caused by another type of microorganism, and you risk complications.

Consequences
Left unattended, urinary tract infections can have serious consequences:

• for the mother: if the infection penetrates the kidneys;
• for a child: inhibits his development;
• there is a risk of miscarriage or premature birth for more later pregnancy.

Warning

• Drink plenty of fluids regularly.
• Try to stay warm. Avoid hypothermia and exposure to high humidity.
• Monitor the acidity of your urine with a urine test paper strip special tests, which changes color depending on the acidic or neutral reaction of urine. To restore the acid-base balance in case of sudden oxidation of urine, drink mineral water, prune juice, milk, eat boiled fruits and vegetables. If your urine is not acidic enough (which encourages germ growth), you should eat more meat and drink tea.

When correct balanced diet the urine will have, as it should, a neutral reaction.

Genital infections

Pregnancy is accompanied by increased vaginal secretion, that is, leucorrhoea (pathological vaginal discharge) appears. They should not cause much concern unless they have unusual properties.

Symptoms

• You have suspicious discharge - more abundant than usual, thicker, or having an unpleasant odor.
• You experience itching and burning in the external genital area.
• Sexual intercourse causes pain.
• Your partner is also a carrier of the infection.

In any case, you should immediately visit a gynecologist. Laboratory tests of vaginal discharge will help determine the type of infection affecting the genitals. Your partner must also undergo the prescribed treatment.

Consequences
Don't ignore infectious diseases. Timely treatment will avoid serious consequences. IN otherwise you face:

• spontaneous miscarriage in the first three months of pregnancy;
• premature birth if the disease occurs later in pregnancy;
• acute infectious disease during childbirth - puerperal fever;
• subsequently chronic inflammation of the uterus and fallopian tubes;
• infection of the child during childbirth.

Warning
Only possible remedy preventing infectious diseases is personal hygiene.

• After each bowel movement, it is necessary to remove the remains of excrement, making movements from the external genitalia to the anus, so as not to introduce microbes that live in the intestines into the vagina.
• You should wash yourself after each bowel movement.
• Change your towel and toilet gloves frequently.
• Your partner should also strictly observe the rules of personal hygiene, especially before sexual intercourse.

Compliance with several simple rules personal hygiene will help you avoid many troubles associated with infectious diseases.

Genital infections

• Excessively copious liquid discharge with a disgusting odor, itching in the vagina - characteristic features mycosis! This disease is most often caused by the Candida fungus, which multiplies rapidly in an acidic environment. During pregnancy, the acidity of the vaginal environment increases. This is provided by nature to protect the fetus from excessive proliferation of common microbes living in the vagina. The acidic environment of the vagina contributes to the development of mycosis.
• If the discharge is thick and foul-smelling, this means that the genitals are infected with microbes, the type of which can only be accurately determined by laboratory research. The results of the research will allow us to determine the antibiotic necessary for treatment, which is prescribed in the form of vaginal suppositories. If necessary, an antifungal course of treatment is carried out.

The course of treatment should only be prescribed by a gynecologist.