What is a urinary tract infection (UTIs)?

A urinary tract infection is an infection in any part of the urinary system. This includes the kidneys,bladder,urethra and ureter.

Most UTIs are caused by bacteria, but some are caused by fungi and, in rare cases, by viruses. UTIs are among the most common infections in humans.

Females have a higher risk for UTIs than most males, probably because of their anatomy; other risk factors for UTIs include any condition that may impede urine flow (e.g., enlarged prostate, congenital urinary tract abnormalities, and inflammation). Patients with catheters or those who undergo urinary surgery and men with enlarged prostates are at higher risk for UTIs.

What are the symptoms of UTI?

• Urge to urinate frequently, often in small amounts.
• Burning with urination.
• Cloudy urine.
• Strong unpleasant smell of urine.
• Dark or bloody urine.
• Rectal pain (kidney infection).
• Flank or back pain (kidney infection).
• Other symptoms may include penile, testicular and abdominal pain, and penile discharge.

The following factors also encourage bacteria to grow:

• Not drinking enough fluids.
• Purposely holding in urine for long periods of time.
• Spinal cord injuries or other nerve damage that makes the bladder difficult to empty regularly and completely.
• Conditions or situations that block the flow of urine, such as a tumor, kidney stone, enlarged prostate, or sexual intercourse.
• Diabetes and other conditions that reduce the ability of the body’s immune system to fight off infection.
• Catheters (tubes placed in the urethra and bladder to drain urine).
• Hormonal changes in the urinary tract of pregnant women that make it easier for bacteria to spread through the ureters and to the kidneys.

Tips to prevent UTIs

Urinate regularly.

Drink a lot of water.

Wipe from front to back and not back to front. 

Urinate before and after sex.

Avoid using irritating products in your intimate area.

How to diagnose UTIs

• Analyzing a urine sample. The urine sample will be looked at in a lab to check for white blood cells, red blood cells or bacteria. You may be told to first wipe your genital area with an antiseptic pad and to collect the urine midstream. The process helps prevent the sample from being contaminated.
• Growing urinary tract bacteria in a lab. Lab analysis of the urine is sometimes followed by a urine culture. This test tells us what bacteria are causing the infection. 
• Creating images of the urinary tract. Recurrent UTIs may be caused by a structural problem in the urinary tract. You may be asked to take an ultrasound, a CT scan or MRI to look for this issue. A contrast dye may be used to highlight structures in your urinary tract.
• Using a scope to see inside the bladder. If you have recurrent UTIs, a cystoscopy may be performed. The test involves using a long, thin tube with a lens, called a cystoscope, to see inside the urethra and bladder. The cystoscope is inserted in the urethra and passed through to the bladder.

What are Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are infections or conditions that you can get from any kind of sexual activity.

Sexually transmitted infections are highly contagious. If you’re sexually active, you can have (and pass on) an STI without even knowing it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends regular STI screenings or testing if you’re sexually active.

Types of STIs

The most common types of sexually transmitted infections include:

• Chlamydia.
• Genital herpes.
• Genital warts.
• Gonorrhea (clap).
• Hepatitis B 
• HIV/AIDS
• Human papilloma virus (HPV).
• Pubic lice(crabs).
• Syphilis.
• Trichomoniasis (trick).
• Vaginitis .

Symptoms of STIs

• Bumps, sores or warts on or near your penis, vagina, mouth or anus.
• Swelling or severe itching near your penis or vagina.
• Discharge from your penis.
• Vaginal discharge that has a bad odor, causes irritation or is a different color or amount than usual.
• Vaginal bleeding that’s not your period.
• Painful sex.
• Painful urination or frequent urination.

In addition, you may also have symptoms throughout your body, including:

• A skin rash.
• Weight loss.
• Diarrhea .
• Night sweats .
• Aches, pains, fever and chills.
• Jaundice(yellowing of your skin and whites of your eyes).

Causes of STIs

There are three major causes of STDs/STIs:

• Bacteria, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
• Viruses, including HIV/AIDS, herpes simplex virus, human papillomavirus, hepatitis B virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Zika.
• Parasites, such as trichomonas vaginalis, or insects such as crab lice or scabies mites1.

Mode of transmission of STIs

Sexual intercourse

Contaminated needles

Breastfeeding 

Complications of sexually transmitted infections

Sexually transmitted infections can cause lifelong complications if left untreated. Common complications from untreated STIs include the following:

• HIV can lead to AIDS.
• Syphilis can damage your organs, nervous system and infect a developing fetus.
• Risk of spreading STIs to your sexual partners.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease, which can damage your uterus and cause infertility.
• Ectopic pregnancy 
• Infertility.
• Chronic pelvic pain.
• Infections in the urethra and prostate.
• Swollen, sore testicles.

Diagnosing STIs

Physical examination: You will be asked about your symptoms and your medical and sexual history — answer honestly, so you can get the help you need.

Urine test: Some STDs can be confirmed with a urine sample.

Blood test: Blood tests can confirm the diagnosis of HIV or later stages of syphilis.

Swabs of body fluids.

Introducing the Forever Champion Health Centre UTI and STI organic therapy 

This is an antibiotic therapy, which eliminates bad bacteria whilst introducing good bacteria and is the most common form of treatment for urinary tract infections (UTI) and sexually transmitted diseases (STI/STDs). The good bacteria assist the body in combating foreign inventions by preventing them from spreading throughout our body system.