If a urinary infection is left untreated, it may spread to the kidneys. If the kidney infection is not treated, it can lead to sepsis in the bloodstream; Must Read - Open Wounds, Skin Infections and Sepsis - Open Wound.
Symptoms of a Kidney Infection
Abdominal pain.
Bloody, cloudy or foul urine.
Decreased mental status in the elderly.
One-sided back or flank pain.
Pain when urinating.
Persistent fever and chills.
Treatment for a Kidney Infection
Tests, e.g., a blood culture should be done for a proper diagnosis so the correct antibiotic and dosage can be administered.
Pharmaceuticals:
Antibiotic: cephalexin 500 mg every 6 hours for 14 days.
Kidney stones are small and hard deposits made from mineral and acid salts which form inside the kidneys. They can be painful to pass but usually no permanent damage is caused.
Kidney stones often form when urine becomes concentrated, so adequate hydration is a good preventative.
Blood in urine.
Severe flank pain, radiating to genitals.
Hydration.
Wait for the stone to pass.
Consider surgery if stone does not pass on its own.
Pregnancy is the development of one or more fetuses in the womb. In a normal setting it can be a blessing and although complications can arise, the general procedure of birth has a high success rate.
In the case where there is no advanced medical care or facilities, it is best to avoid pregnancy.
During all stages of pregnancy it is important that the patient has adequate nutrition.
Absent menstruation.
Backache.
Darkening of the nipples.
Fatigue.
Frequent urination.
Hemorrhoids.
Nausea and vomiting, i.e., morning sickness; Diagnoses and Treatments – Digestive System – Nausea and Vomiting.
Stretch marks.
Tender Breasts.
Varicose veins.
Visually pregnant.
An approximate due date can be calculated if the first day of the patient’s last period is known. From that date, subtract 3 months and then add 7 days. For example:
The first day of her last period is November 7th, minus 3 months is August 7th, add 7 days is August 14th.
Expect the following near this due date:
Change in abdominal appearance, i.e., the fetus repositions deep in the pelvis.
Mucus-like and sometimes bloody discharge.
Contractions becoming more frequent.
Her water will break.
Note: contractions may be irregular. This is a false labor. Have the patient lie on her left side and hydrate well. .
Construct a very sterile environment with gloves, clean sheets etc. Avoid touching anything but the baby and the mother.
Place a sheet under her buttocks and onto your lap, and a towel on her belly.
Crowning is when the baby’s head becomes visible.
If the water has not broken, it will be visible and will rupture.
Place two fingers along the edge of the vagina between the vagina and anus (perineum).
Gently move your fingers from side to side to give the baby more room.
The baby’s head may move in and out with each contraction, this is okay.
With each contraction the mother should take a deep breath and push while exhaling slowly.
Once the baby has been born, dry and wrap him/her in the towel on the mother’s belly.
Hyperemesis gravidarum is excessive vomiting during pregnancy.
Treatment for Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Treat for dehydration; Diagnoses and Treatments - Circulatory System - Dehydration and Volume Shock – Dehydration.
When a woman miscarries, many times she will not pass all of the dead tissue relating to the pregnancy. On occasion, this tissue will become infected or cause excessive bleeding.
Bleeding or spotting from the vagina.
Pain simulating menstrual cramps.
Bed rest.
Watch for infection (fever and/or a foul discharge from the vagina).
Pharmaceuticals:
Antibiotics, other: clindamycin, metronidazole.
Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension
Pregnancy-induced hypertension usually occurs during the last month of pregnancy, most often with her first baby. It can lead to seizures and can be life threatening; Diagnoses and Treatments – Head – Brain – Seizures.
Symptoms of Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension
Elevated blood pressures.
Extreme swelling.
Treatment for Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension
Bed rest on the left side.
Consume less salt.
Hydration (8 glasses of water a day).
Consider blood pressure medication.
Prostatitis is an infection of the prostate gland. It is most common in men under the age of 50.
Symptoms depend on the cause, e.g., bacterial, immune system disorder, prostate injury etc. They may include:
Difficulty urinating.
Flu-like symptoms (with bacterial Prostatitis).
Frequent urination (especially at night).
Pain in the abdomen, groin or lower back.
Pain when ejaculating.
Pain in the penis or testicles.
Pain in the perineum.
Pain when urinating.
Urgent need to urinate.
Seek advanced medical care for definitive diagnosis and treatment.
Pharmaceuticals:
Alpha blockers to ease symptoms.
NSAIDs.
Antibiotic for chronic bacterial prostatitis: ciprofloxacin 500 mg every 12 hours for 28 days.
Antibiotics, other: cephalexin, levofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim.
Avoid alcohol, caffeine and acidic or spicy foods.
Relieve pressure off the prostate, e.g., sit on a pillow.
Soak in a warm bath.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
There are many sexually transmitted infections, most of which are easily prevented with safe sex practices, i.e., monogamous relationships and/or the strict use of condoms.
Sexually transmitted infections are most commonly spread through sexual activity, but they may also be spread by fluid contact with an infected person, e.g., pregnant woman to unborn child.
General Treatment for Sexually Transmitted Infections
If you suspect any sexually transmitted infection, seek advanced medical care for a definitive diagnosis.
Partners should also be tested, even if they have no symptoms.
After treatment, get retested to make sure it is gone.
Do not have sex until you are sure both you and your partner no longer have the disease.
General Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections
Antibiotic prophylactic (preventative) if at high-risk, e.g., after sexual assault.
Condoms.
Monogamous relationships.
Regular STI checks.
Pharmaceuticals:
Antibiotic for STI prophylaxis: doxycycline 100 mg twice a day for 7 days.
Antibiotic for STI prophylaxis, other: metronidazole.
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted bacterial infection. If left untreated it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease in women and epididymitis in men which may even make him sterile.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea often occur together; Diagnoses and Treatments – Genitourinary System – Sexually Transmitted Infections – Gonorrhea.
Symptoms do not always show, but if they do you will probably notice them within a couple of weeks.
Symptoms of Chlamydia in Women:
Abdominal pain with fever.
Bleeding between periods.
Burning and itching around vagina.
Pain during period, sex and/or urination.
Vaginal discharge that may have an odor.
Symptoms of Chlamydia in Men:
Burning and itching around penis opening.
Discharge from tip of penis (clear or cloudy).
Pain and swelling around the testicles.
Pain when urinating.
The patient’s sexual partner(s) should also be evaluated and treated if needed.
Pharmaceuticals:
Antibiotics should solve the problem within a couple of weeks.
Antibiotic: azithromycin single-dose is a preferred regimen.
Antibiotic for uncomplicated urethral, endocervical or rectal infection: doxycycline 100 mg twice a day for 7 days.
Antibiotics, other: amoxicillin, azithromycin, levofloxacin, tetracycline.
Genital herpes is a common, highly contagious and often re-occurring sexually transmitted infection usually caused by the herpes simplex virus, which is the same virus that causes cold sores; Diagnoses and Treatments - Head – Mouth and Teeth - Cold Sores.
Not every instance will show symptoms, but those that do will usually show within 2 weeks of infection:
Pain or itching (first sign).
Small, red bumps or tiny white blisters (showing a few days after the pain/itching).
Ulcers.
Scabs (forming as the ulcers heal).
The above sores will appear where-ever the infection entered your body, e.g., buttocks, mouth, penis, vagina etc.
Other symptoms of Genital Herpes include:
Fever.
Headache.
Muscle ache.
Pain in genital area.
Pain when urinating.
There is no cure for genital herpes, but anti-viral medication can help prevent re-occurring cases and ease symptoms.
Pharmaceuticals:
Antivirals: acyclovir or famciclovir 200 mg every 4 hours for 10 days.
Gonorrhea (the clap, the drip, gonococcal) is an easily spread sexually transmitted infection. If gonorrhea is left untreated it can lead to (amongst other things) pelvic inflammatory disease in women and epididymitis in men which may even make him sterile.
Gonorrhea and chlamydia often occur together; Diagnoses and Treatments – Genitourinary System – Sexually Transmitted Infections – Chlamydia.
Not everyone that contracts gonorrhea will show symptoms, but those that do will usually show within 2 weeks of infection.
Symptoms of gonorrhea in women:
May be confused with a yeast infection (seek professional medical advice to be sure); Diagnoses and Treatments – Genitourinary System – Yeast Infection.
Abdominal (lower) or pelvic pain.
Bleeding between periods.
Burning when urinating.
Conjunctivitis; Diagnoses and Treatments – Head – Eyes – Conjunctivitis.
Discharge from vagina (greenish-yellow or whitish).
Spotting after intercourse.
Vulvitis (swelling of the vulva).
If oral sex was performed:
Burning in the throat.
Swollen throat glands.
Symptoms of gonorrhea in men:
Men are more likely to show symptoms than women.
Burning when urinating.
Discharge from penis (greenish yellow or whitish).
Painful or swollen testicles.
If oral sex was performed:
Burning in the throat.
Swollen throat glands.
Seek advanced medical care for a definitive diagnosis, e.g., swab or urine test.
Partners should also be tested, even if they have no symptoms.
After treatment, get retested to make sure it is gone.
Do not have sex until you are sure both you and your partner no longer have the disease.
Pharmaceuticals:
Antibiotic for uncomplicated urethral and cervical gonococcal infections: ciprofloxacin 250 mg one time.
Consider treating concurrent chlamydia infection, e.g., single dose azithromycin; Diagnoses and Treatments - Genitourinary System – Sexually Transmitted Infections – Chlamydia.
Pelvic inflammatory disease is most often caused by a sexually transmitted infection such chlamydia or gonorrhea. It is an infection of a woman’s pelvic organs, i.e., cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries and womb. If left untreated it may lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain etc.
Symptoms of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pain and fever may come as a quick onset.
Irregular periods.
Fever.
Foul vaginal discharge.
Pain on both sides of the lower abdomen.
Painful sex.
Painful urination.
Treatment for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pharmaceuticals:
Antibiotic: doxycycline 100 mg every 12 hours for 14 days.
Antibiotics, other: azithromycin, levofloxacin, metronidazole, tetracycline.
Tubal (ectopic) pregnancy is when a fertilized egg wrongfully grows in the fallopian tube until it ruptures the tube. If left untreated the fallopian tube will burst, causing internal bleeding, which may lead to death; Diagnoses and Treatments – Circulatory System – Internal Bleeding.
Sign of normal pregnancy in first few weeks.
Pelvic or belly pain which is possibly sharp on one side and then spreads through the abdomen, worsening with movement.
Vaginal bleeding.
Advanced medical care is needed to treat an ectopic pregnancy. The earlier it is detected and treated, the less chance there is of permanent damage.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is when there is an infection of any of the organs that urine passes through before excretion of urine, i.e., kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. If left untreated, it can lead to a kidney infection; Diagnoses and Treatments – Genitourinary System – Kidney Infection.
The most commonly known UTI is an infection of the bladder. It is most common in women but men are susceptible also.
Causes of UTIs include dehydration, lack of toilet use, poor hygiene, sexual transmission etc.
Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections
Blood tinged urine.
Frequent urge to urinate.
Painful, burning urination.
Treatment for Urinary Tract Infections
Cranberry juice.
Hydration.
Applying warmth to the bladder can be soothing.
Pharmaceuticals:
Phenazopyridine: this will eliminate painful urination. It may cause your urine to temporarily have a reddish-orange tinge.
Antibiotic: amoxicillin/clavulanate 500 mg every 12 hours for 3 to 7 days or 875 mg every 12 hours for 3 to 7 days for serious cases.
Antibiotic: ciprofloxacin 250 mg every 12 hours for 3 days for uncomplicated cases (cystitis) or 250 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days for moderate cases or 500 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days for severe cases.
Antibiotic: doxycycline 200 mg on the first day, given in 2 or 4 evenly divided doses, then 100 mg per day given once a day or in 2 divided doses for 3 to 7 days or 100 mg every 12 hours for 3 to 7 days for severe cases.
Antibiotics, other: amoxicillin, ampicillin, levofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim.
Alternative/Natural Remedies:
Alka-Seltzer and warm water poured over the urethra 3 times a day.
Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections
Cranberry juice.
Hydration.
Proper hygiene.
Safe sex.
Urinate immediately after sexual intercourse.
Urinate regularly.
Wear cotton undergarments (increases air flow).
Wipe from front to back after going to toilet.
There are two types of yeast infections: oral and vaginal; Diagnoses and Treatments – Head – Mouth and Teeth – Oral Yeast Infection.
A vaginal yeast infection (monilia) is not a sexually transmitted disease and is, in fact, extremely common.
Symptoms of a Vaginal Yeast Infection
Odorless, thick, white discharge reminiscent of cottage cheese.
Vaginal itchiness.
Treatment for a Vaginal Yeast Infection
Pharmaceuticals:
Antifungal: miconazole cream or suppository.
Antifungal for recurring cases: fluconazole 150 mg once, repeat in 3 days if symptoms persist.
Bacterial vaginosis is a non-yeast vaginal infection caused by bacteria.
Trichomoniasis is also a non-yeast vaginal infection caused by protozoa.
Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis
Foul odor.
Treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis
Vinegar and water douche (minor infections). 1 Tablespoon of vinegar mixed with a liter of water, use until patient feels better, douche once daily.
Caution: douching too often will actually cause yeast infections, so only use when needed.
Pharmaceuticals:
Antifungal: metronidazole 500 mg every 8 hours for 5 to 7 days.
Garlic: insert a clove of garlic wrapped in gauze in the vagina for no longer than 8 hours. Ensure you leave some gauze to reach for easy removal.