Urine Infection (cont.)
Recurrent infections
Many women suffer from frequent UTIs. Nearly 20 percent of women who have a
UTI will have another, and 30 percent of those will have yet another. Of the
last group, 80 percent will have recurrences.
Usually, the latest infection stems from a strain or type of bacteria that is
different from the infection before it, indicating a separate infection. Even
when several UTIs in a row are due to E. coli, slight differences in the
bacteria indicate distinct infections.
Research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that one
factor behind recurrent UTIs may be the ability of bacteria to attach to cells
lining the urinary tract. A recent NIH-funded study found that bacteria formed a
protective film on the inner lining of the bladder in mice. If a similar process
can be demonstrated in humans, the discovery may lead to new treatments to
prevent recurrent UTIs. Another line of research has indicated that women who
are "non-secretors" of certain blood group antigens may be more prone to
recurrent UTIs because the cells lining the vagina and urethra may allow
bacteria to attach more easily. Further research will show whether this
association is sound and proves useful in identifying women at high risk for
UTIs.
Infections in pregnancy
Pregnant women seem no more prone to UTIs than other women. However, when
a UTI does occur in a pregnant woman, it is more likely to travel to the
kidneys. According to some reports, about 2 to 4 percent of pregnant women
develop a urinary infection. Scientists think that hormonal changes and
shifts in the position of the urinary tract during pregnancy make it easier
for bacteria to travel up the ureters to the kidneys. For this reason, many
doctors recommend periodic testing of urine during pregnancy.
Next: What are the symptoms and signs of UTI? »
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