Can green tea help prevent or treat urinary tract infections. Is it safe to drink tea when you have a UTI. What are the best teas for urinary health. How do natural remedies compare to antibiotics for UTIs.

The Relationship Between Green Tea and Urinary Tract Infections

Green tea has long been touted for its numerous health benefits, from lowering cholesterol to potentially protecting against certain cancers. But how does it affect urinary tract health? Contrary to concerns that tea might cause or worsen urinary tract infections (UTIs), research suggests that green tea may actually help prevent and fight these common bacterial infections.

Green Tea’s Antibacterial Properties

Green tea contains powerful compounds called polyphenols, particularly a catechin known as epigallocatechin (EGC). This natural antimicrobial is excreted in urine, where it can directly combat bacteria causing UTIs. In fact, studies have shown that EGC from green tea is effective against multiple strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli), the bacteria responsible for most UTIs.

Scientific Evidence Supporting Green Tea’s Efficacy

A notable study examined 80 samples of E. coli that had caused UTIs, with 63 of these samples being resistant to at least one common antibiotic. Researchers found that even low concentrations of EGC from green tea were effective against all tested bacterial strains. This suggests that drinking just one cup of green tea could potentially help combat a UTI caused by E. coli.

Green Tea vs. Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

As antibiotic resistance becomes an increasing concern in the medical community, natural remedies like green tea are gaining attention for their potential to fight difficult-to-treat infections.

MRSA and Urinary Tract Infections

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a particularly concerning cause of UTIs due to its resistance to many common antibiotics. A study in an Irish hospital found that nearly 28% of urine samples containing S. aureus were methicillin-resistant. Green tea has shown promise in combating MRSA infections in other contexts, suggesting potential applications for UTIs caused by this resistant bacteria.

Green Tea’s Effectiveness Against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria

In a study focusing on a skin condition, 250 patients infected with S. aureus (over 89% with multidrug-resistant strains) were treated with green tea. The treatment resulted in an impressive 86% cure rate, highlighting green tea’s potential as an alternative or complementary treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections, including UTIs.

Choosing the Right Green Tea for UTI Prevention and Treatment

While green tea shows promise in fighting UTIs, it’s important to consider a few factors when selecting and consuming it for urinary health.

Caffeine Considerations

Caffeinated beverages can irritate the bladder, potentially exacerbating UTI symptoms. If you’re prone to UTIs or currently experiencing one, you might consider opting for decaffeinated green tea. When choosing decaf options, look for products decaffeinated through effervescence, a process that helps retain the beneficial polyphenols.

Brewing Methods and Polyphenol Content

To maximize the antibacterial benefits of green tea, pay attention to brewing methods. Steeping tea for 3-5 minutes in water just below boiling temperature (around 80°C or 176°F) can help extract optimal levels of polyphenols without introducing excessive bitterness.

Other Teas and Herbal Remedies for UTI Prevention

While green tea has garnered significant attention for its potential in fighting UTIs, other teas and herbal remedies may also offer benefits for urinary tract health.

Cranberry Tea

Cranberry has long been associated with urinary tract health. While scientific evidence is mixed, some studies suggest that compounds in cranberries may help prevent bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract walls. Cranberry tea, made from dried cranberries or cranberry extract, might provide similar benefits without added sugars often found in juices.

Uva Ursi Tea

Uva ursi, also known as bearberry, is an herb traditionally used to treat urinary tract infections. It contains compounds with antimicrobial properties, though it should be used cautiously and under the guidance of a healthcare provider due to potential side effects.

Dandelion Tea

Dandelion tea is a natural diuretic that may help flush bacteria from the urinary tract. It’s also rich in vitamins and minerals that support overall health. However, more research is needed to confirm its direct effects on UTIs.

Lifestyle Factors and UTI Prevention

While teas and natural remedies can play a role in urinary tract health, they’re most effective when combined with lifestyle practices that promote overall well-being and reduce UTI risk.

Hydration and Its Impact on Urinary Health

Adequate hydration is crucial for maintaining urinary tract health. Drinking plenty of water helps flush bacteria from the urinary system, reducing the risk of infection. Aim for at least 8 glasses of water daily, and increase intake if you’re prone to UTIs or experiencing symptoms.

Personal Hygiene Practices

Proper hygiene can significantly reduce the risk of UTIs, especially in women. This includes wiping from front to back after using the toilet, urinating after sexual activity, and avoiding irritating feminine products. Wearing breathable, cotton underwear can also help maintain a healthy urinary environment.

When to Seek Medical Attention for UTIs

While natural remedies like green tea can be beneficial for preventing and managing mild UTIs, it’s important to recognize when professional medical care is necessary.

Recognizing Severe UTI Symptoms

If you experience fever, chills, back pain, or nausea along with typical UTI symptoms like frequent urination and burning sensation, it may indicate a more serious infection that requires immediate medical attention. These symptoms could suggest that the infection has spread to the kidneys.

The Role of Antibiotics in UTI Treatment

In cases of severe or persistent UTIs, antibiotics may be necessary to effectively clear the infection. While natural remedies can complement treatment, they should not replace prescribed antibiotics for diagnosed UTIs. Always follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations for UTI treatment.

Future Research and Perspectives on Green Tea and UTIs

As antibiotic resistance continues to pose challenges in treating UTIs, research into natural alternatives like green tea is likely to expand. Future studies may focus on optimal dosages, delivery methods, and combinations with other natural compounds to enhance efficacy against urinary tract infections.

Potential for Green Tea-Based UTI Treatments

The promising results of green tea against antibiotic-resistant bacteria open up possibilities for developing new treatments. Researchers may explore ways to incorporate green tea compounds into topical applications or targeted therapies for urinary tract infections.

Integrating Natural Remedies with Conventional Medicine

As evidence for the benefits of natural remedies like green tea grows, there may be increased interest in integrating these approaches with conventional medical treatments. This could lead to more holistic strategies for preventing and managing UTIs, potentially reducing reliance on antibiotics and addressing the growing concern of antibiotic resistance.

In conclusion, while green tea shows promise in preventing and potentially treating urinary tract infections, it’s important to approach UTI management comprehensively. Combining natural remedies like green tea with proper hygiene, adequate hydration, and medical guidance when necessary can contribute to optimal urinary tract health. As research in this area continues to evolve, we may see even more innovative approaches to UTI prevention and treatment in the future.

Could Green Tea Cause A UTI? | Liver & Kidney

Green tea has been shown to have myriad health benefits, from reducing cholesterol levels to protecting against certain cancers to improving focus, so adding it to your daily diet is definitely a plus. In addition, green tea has antibacterial properties that make it remarkably effective against urinary tract infections (UTIs), so it’s highly unlikely that it has anything to do with yours – in fact, it may even help you get rid of it.

Because of their urinary anatomy women are more vulnerable than men, but anyone can get a UTI, which is almost always caused by Escherichia coli, a common bacterial pathogen. Unfortunately, E. coli has become resistant to many of our first-line antibiotics, making it more important than ever to find natural treatments. Green tea contains polyphenols, including the catechin epigallocatechin (EGC), a natural antimicrobial that is excreted in urine, where it can help address a UTI.

In fact, one study looked at 80 samples of E. coli that had caused a urinary tract infection, 63 of which were resistant to at least one common antibiotic. The study tested what concentrations of EGC from green tea would have a positive effect against the bacteria. All of the bacterial strains tested were vulnerable to EGC’s antimicrobial effects even at low concentrations, suggesting that just a single cup of green tea could be helpful against a UTI caused by E. coli.

Perhaps even more dangerous are UTIs caused by the difficult-to -treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Methicillin was once reliably effective against penicillin-resistant bacteria, notably staph infections, so the emergence of methicillin-resistant strains has been a troubling development. One study in an Irish hospital found that nearly 28% of urine samples that contained S. aureus were methicillin resistant.

In a recent study that looked at the effectiveness of green tea as an antimicrobial against a skin condition, 250 patients infected with S. aureus (more than 89% of whom had multidrug-resistant strains) were treated with green tea, with an 86% cure rate. This holds great promise for the use of green tea against UTIs caused by MRSA.

While you’re working on resolving your UTI, you may want to avoid caffeinated beverages, which are bladder irritants. If you choose to use decaffeinated green tea, look for products that were decaffeinated through effervescence,  a process that helps retain those all-important polyphenols.

Andrew Weil, M.D.

Sources:
Wanda Reygaert and Ilir Jusufi,  ”Green tea as an effective antimicrobial for urinary tract infections caused by Escherichia coli.” Front Microbiol. 2013; 4: 162. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3684790/

Afsaneh Noormandi and Fatemeh Dabaghzadeh, Effects of green tea on Escherichia coli as a uropathogen.” J Tradit Complement Med. 2015 Jan; 5(1): 15–20. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4488178/

Looney AT, Redmond EJ, Davey NM, et al. “Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus as a uropathogen in an Irish setting.” Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(14):e4635. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004635

Umashankar N, Pemmanda B, Gopkumar P, Hemalatha AJ, Sundar PK, Prashanth HV. “Effectiveness of topical green tea against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in cases of primary pyoderma: An open controlled trial.” Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2018;84(2):163-168.

Gaur R, Bao GH. “Chemistry and Pharmacology of Natural Catechins from Camellia sinensis as anti-MRSA agents.” Curr Top Med Chem. 2021 May 23.

Aram Kim, Jae Hak Ahn, Woo Suk Choi , Hyoung Keun Park, Sehwan Kim, Sung Hyun Paick, Hyeong Gon Kim, “What Is the Cause of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection? Contemporary Microscopic Concepts of Pathophysiology.” Int Neurourol J,  2021 May 14. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih/34044483/

Is It Ok to Drink Tea With a UTI & What Tea Is Good for UTIs?

UTI

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common type of bacterial infection that an estimated 150 million people contract each year. Bacteria such as E.coli are usually to blame for causing UTIs, but it’s not the only type of infectious bacteria to cause issues. Virtually anyone can develop a UTI and it can affect any part of the urinary system including the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys.

While symptoms can range from mildly inconvenient to fairly painful, the majority of UTIs can be resolved without using antibiotics. However, there are natural herbs and remedies that can help to prevent or even treat mild UTIs. This includes tea.

Table of Contents

• Can You Drink Tea With a UTI?
• Can Drinking Tea Cause a Urinary Infection or Make It Worse?
• Is Tea Good for a UTI and Can It Help Treat UTIs?
• What Are the Best Teas for UTIs?
• Key Takeaways

Can You Drink Tea With a UTI?

If you’re looking for a quick way to get rid of a UTI, then it can be helpful to complement your medication with some type of tea to help speed up the process. Herbal tea can be a good way to promote faster recovery thanks to its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.

Certain types of tea can be a good way to naturally prevent or treat a mild UTI. However, it’s usually recommended to avoid any kind of drink that has a high caffeine content. As such, it’s usually best to avoid black teas.

Can Drinking Tea Cause a Urinary Infection or Make It Worse?

This is usually the case if there is a high caffeine content in the tea. Caffeine is known to cause bladder irritation and could potentially worse bladder infection symptoms. As such, we’d highly recommend staying away from typical black tea and choosing other types of tea, such as green tea, to prevent this from happening.

Your doctor can prescribe you effective medicine for urinary tract infections, but it’s never a bad idea to complement the medication with a low-caffeine tea that can help to relieve symptoms and keep your system healthy.

Is Tea Good for a UTI and Can It Help Treat UTIs?

Tea can be good for preventing and treating UTIs. This is because green tea contains a natural antioxidant known as epigallocatechin (EGCG). This makes it one of the most effective natural antibiotics which is helpful for preventing and treating a UTI.

The use of tea for urinary tract infections is widespread and has been practiced for many years. While green tea is the most popular, there are other types of teas that can help to alleviate symptoms and flush out bad bacteria from your urinary tract.

What Are the Best Teas for UTIs?

1. Green Tea

Studies have shown that drinking green tea for urinary tract infections can be a good way to help alleviate symptoms. The antioxidants found in green tea can help deal with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making it a great complement to traditional medication.

Green tea is widely available and can be bought in tea bags, as loose leaves, or even in powder form.

2. Mint Tea

Peppermint has powerful antimicrobial properties, making it one of the best teas to help treat a mild UTI. It also contains antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties that help to kill bad bacteria.

Mint tea can easily be made with both tea bags and loose leaves. However, if you’re making it from fresh mint leaves, then it’s important to wash the mint thoroughly.

3. Parsley Tea

Parsley tea acts as a natural diuretic, meaning it can help to flush out excess sodium and water from your body. This helps flush out bad bacteria from your urinary tract, and it’s also rich in vitamin C and antioxidants which can help your body recover from the symptoms of a UTI.

Parsley tea is sold as tea bags, but you can also make it from fresh parsley by steeping them in hot water.

4. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is a common tea that is rich in antioxidants. It also contains anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help remove bad bacteria from your body while also relieving pain that is caused by a UTI.

Chamomile tea usually comes in tea bags, but you can also purchase it as a loose-leaf tea.

5. Cranberry Tea

Cranberries contain antioxidants like polyphenols that have both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. You can drink herbal tea that contains cranberry extract, but make sure it doesn’t contain high amounts of sugar.

Cranberry tea can be prepared like any other tea. It usually comes in tea bags, but you can also use packaged cranberries together with a low-caffeine tea such as green tea. This helps you get the positive benefits of both green tea and cranberry tea.

FAQ

Does Tea Make UTIs Worse?

Tea can make UTIs worse if it contains a lot of caffeine. It’s best to choose herbal teas with low caffeine content.

Does Hot Tea Help With a UTI?

Hot tea can help to warm your abdomen which reduces any discomfort or pressure around your bladder. It’s common to place a hot water bottle or heating pad against your body to relieve some of the discomfort. Hot tea serves a similar purpose, but it’s important to ensure that it contains low amounts of caffeine so that it doesn’t exacerbate existing symptoms.

What Is the Best Tea for a UTI?

Green tea is an effective antimicrobial for urinary tract infections thanks to the antioxidants found in it. You can also try parsley tea, chamomile tea, cranberry tea, or mint tea.

What Teas Irritate the Bladder?

Any tea that is high in caffeine can irritate the bladder, hence why it’s best to avoid these teas when possible.

Key Takeaways

• Learning what to eat and what to avoid can help you speed up your recovery from a UTI.
• You can drink tea for urinary tract infections, but it must be low in caffeine.
• The best tea for UTI would be green tea.
• Regularly drinking low-caffeine tea can not only prevent a UTI, but it can also prevent it.
• The best strategy for treating a UTI is to use tea as a preventative measure while taking antibiotics.

Sources:

• R.Krishnaveni, K.Senthilkannan, V.Eeugin Amala, R.Ranadevan, Sophya Helen Mary. A, Lakshmi Kannan, A.Munikumari, G.Sowndarya, Antimicrobial Activity of Medicinal Plants Such As Green Tea (Camellia Sinensis), Illavangam (Cinnamomum Verum) And Pomegranate (Punica Granatum) Used Against UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) Causing Pathogenes,  The International journal of analytical and experimental modal analysis Volume XI, Issue VIII, August/2019 ISSN NO: 0886-9367. Available from: http://ijaema.com/gallery/251-august-2340.pdf 
• Giri, K., Shrestha, B. K., Shakya, J., Sah, S. N., & Khanal, H. (2020). Antibacterial effect of green tea extract against multi drug resistant Escherichia coli isolated from urine sample of patients visiting tertiary care hospital of Eastern Nepal. International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, 8(1), 45–51. https://doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v8i1.27313
• Robin DiPasquale (2008) Effective Use of Herbal Medicine in Urinary Tract Infections, Journal of Dietary Supplements, 5:3, 219-228, DOI: 10.1080/19390210802414220
• Bushra Hindi Saleh, Reem Naem Ibrahim , Hamssa E. Abdul-Wahed and Zaina T. Salih, Study Ofthe Antibacterialactivity of Green Tea Leaves Camellia Sinensis Ethanolic Extractagainst Different Pathogenic Bacteria Isolated From Urinary Tract Infections, Plant Archives Vol. 20 Supplement 1, 2020 pp. 1077-1084 e-ISSN:2581-6063 (online),ISSN:0972-5210. Available from: http://www. plantarchives.org/SPECIAL%20ISSUE%2020-1/1077-1084%20(436).pdf 
• Wanda Reygaert, Ilir Jusufi, Front. Microbiol.Green tea as an effective antimicrobial for urinary tract infections caused by Escherichia coli , 18 June 2013 Sec. Food Microbiology. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2013.00162
• Das S. Natural therapeutics for urinary tract infections-a review. Futur J Pharm Sci. 2020;6(1):64. doi: https://www.doi.org/10.1186/s43094-020-00086-2 . Epub 2020 Sep 18. PMID: 33215041; PMCID: PMC7498302.

DrHouse articles are written by MDs, NPs, nutritionists and other healthcare professionals. The contents of the DrHouse site are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing high fever (>103F/39.4C), shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain, heart palpitations, abnormal bruising, abnormal bleeding, extreme fatigue, dizziness, new weakness or paralysis, difficulty with speech, confusion, extreme pain in any body part, or inability to remain hydrated or keep down fluids or feel you may have any other life-threatening condition, please go to the emergency department or call 911 immediately.

Urinary tract infection in children

Urinary tract infection is the presence of a clinically significant number of bacteria in the urinary tract in a patient with clinical manifestations of infection [2]. This definition is given to us by foreign colleagues. In domestic recommendations, the definition is somewhat simpler, and this, in our opinion, creates some confusion in the heads of doctors, and, as a result, parents.

A urinary tract infection is a growth of bacteria in the urinary tract.

A little later I will explain why the difference in definitions is so important.

Urinary tract infection occurs at different ages with different frequency. It is customary to say that in children under 3 months the average frequency is about 7.2%, while in girls it is about 7.5%, and in boys it is 2.3% with circumcised foreskin and 20.1% without circumcision. At the age of over 3 months, such striking differences are no longer found, and the frequency of occurrence is 4. 5–6.5%. And it remains approximately the same throughout the entire period of childhood, while in girls the frequency of occurrence is approximately 4 times higher than in boys [1].

Why is a urinary tract infection dangerous?

First of all, the fact that as a result of the course of the infectious process, the death of some parts of the renal tissue may occur, as a result of which scars will form. This is called nephrosclerosis. It is bad because the scar, unlike the renal tissue, which is called the parenchyma, does not perform the functions of the kidney, that is, the renal function decreases. As a result, chronic kidney disease develops, or, as it was previously called, chronic renal failure.

Also, until we started discussing the causes and other things associated with UTIs in children, I want to note that the division of urinary tract infections in children into the usual cystitis, pyelonephritis at an early age is extremely difficult, in this regard, it is customary to use a broad term UTI for children under two years of age.

Causes

The causes of any infection are infectious agents. There are several of them: bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa . In the case of urinary tract infections in children, the most common cause is bacteria . Urinary tract infections of viral etiology are extremely rare in children, usually they are children older than two years and it manifests itself most often as cystitis, fungal infections are always associated with immunodeficiencies, and therefore are also quite rare [3,2].

About bacteria: the leader in this matter is E. coli. Its share in the structure of the incidence of urinary infections accounts for about 80%. Of course, both Klebsiela and Proteus and various types of Staphylococci are capable of causing UTI and even cause it, but their proportion is not very large. Moreover, if we focus on the global evidence base, it is urinary tract infections caused by Escherichia coli that most often lead to the formation of nephrosclerosis [1,3,4].

Pathogenesis

A terrible word, this will probably be the most difficult to read section of this article, but without understanding it, it will be quite difficult to understand the logic of diagnosis and treatment. We will try to make it as accessible as possible.

A huge amount of research tells us that bacteria enter the urinary tract from below. In medicine, this is called the ascending pathway of penetration, but this is not particularly important. From below, this is not from the floor, as one might think, but from the skin of the perineum and the mucous membrane of the genital organs. However, this does not mean at all that it is urgent to wash the child with antibacterial soap.

• First, antibacterial soap was invented to wash the surgeon’s hands before surgery.
• Secondly, in principle, washing the perineum with soap is not very good, bacteria will be there anyway, because their home is there.

Bacteria adapt – this is important.

In order for bacteria, like any organism, to survive, they have all sorts of useful devices. For example, small legs (drank), with which they can attach to the mucous membrane, or a capsule that protects the cell wall from an aggressive environment. All these things, bacteria acquire in the process of evolution and interaction with various environments. In addition, we ourselves actively help them in this matter, for example, when they use antibacterial drugs uncontrollably and incorrectly. [6, 7, 8]

After the bacteria have entered the urethra, they diligently begin to climb higher, and here our body has something to oppose to them.

1. The mucous membrane begins to actively produce mucus . The more bacteria, the more active. Mucus – firstly, it makes the attachment of bacteria not so strong. Try to hang on a dry horizontal bar yourself and hang on a horizontal bar that has been lathered with soap. The difference will be very obvious. In addition, when mucus is produced, the blood flow increases, and with the blood flow, a huge amount of very useful for protection comes to this place, including leukocytes and other substances that are so “favorite” by mothers, which, after getting into place, come to grips with the intruder. [1,6].

2. The next defense mechanism is urine itself (just try to take it out of context and start using it, I will come in terrible dreams for the rest of my life).

The main protective properties of urine should be attributed to the fact that it flows and this current washes away bacteria that do not cling very tightly to the wall due to mucus.

The second no less important property of urine is that it is acidic, and most bacteria do not really like an acidic environment and, if they do not die immediately in it, then at least stop multiplying.

It is on this fact that the idea of ​​​​taking cranberry-based drugs or products for prevention is based. The only problem is that the body is a little more complicated than a pot of soup, but more on that later.

3. The third protective factor that helps the body fight infection is urinary tract epithelium . It updates very quickly. And if the inflammatory process flows

So why does an infection still occur?

Mucus is released, urination has become more frequent, urine is acidic in itself, but this does not save if there are too many bacteria.

No matter how cool the 3 musketeers are, but there are only three of them, if the guardsmen have a numerical advantage, the musketeers cannot cope.

When is there a lot of bacteria?

1. When the path to be taken by bacteria is short (the female urethra is only 8–9cm, and men’s – 20-25)

2. When a child cannot control a bowel movement (for example, in a diaper)

3. When there is an obstruction to the outflow of urine (hydronephrosis, vesicoureteral reflux, posterior urethral valve, bladder dysfunction, chronic constipation)

Usually these are the most common reasons that bacteria still break into the urinary tract. After they have broken through, they begin to actively share, and here the help of doctors is needed.

It seems that we figured out the pathogenesis, drove on. I hope those who read carefully will be a little less afraid of a urine test with 3 leukocytes.

Clinical picture

Symptoms of UTIs in children differ depending on the age of the child [1].

It is customary to talk about signs of infection in a child younger than two years old.

Why are the manifestations different?

Most likely this is due to the fact that it is extremely difficult for a child under 2 years old to complain, and we are forced to focus on objective indicators of the disease.

Objective symptoms of UTI in a child under 2 years of age, most often only one – an increase in body temperature above 38.5 degrees Celsius, without other signs of infection. Namely, the pediatrician examines and ascertains the absence of cough, redness of the throat, runny nose and other signs of respiratory infections.

There are no other manifestations of urinary tract infection at this age!

What about our favorite urine test. Urine analysis is of clinical importance only if there is a guarantee of a sterile set of this very urine. Recommendations say that the guarantee of a clean collection is collection with a sterile urinary catheter or suprapubic puncture of the bladder. And one and the other way is only suitable for a doctor. That is, the urine collected by the mother in a jar to assess the presence of a urinary tract infection is not suitable. [1,2,4,5].

In children older than two years, additional symptoms of a urinary tract infection may appear, such as: frequent urination, pain when urinating, pain in the lumbar region or above the pubis.

But, here it is also very important that all this should be the same against the background of an increase in temperature above 38.5 degrees. Urinary tract infection in healthy children always occurs with fever. No other is given. [9, 5] All parents whose children were diagnosed with chronic pyelonephritis by urinalysis, in the absence of clinical symptoms – congratulations. You most likely do not have any chronic pyelonephritis.

Separately, I would like to note such a moment as the smell of urine. There is a discrepancy between our recommendations and foreign ones. Foreigners say that the smell of urine is not a diagnostic symptom of urinary tract infection in children and at the same time refer to a number of clinical studies in which parents, using a questionnaire, noted that the smell was different from the usual one, and doctors, not knowing about the questionnaire, diagnosed UTIs. As a result, most studies have not found a clear statistically significant relationship between urine odor and UTI in children [1].

Our guidelines state that foul-smelling urine is a clinical criterion for urinary tract infection, without reference to anything [4]. This is how we write recommendations, nothing can be done about it. Although, it should be noted that this is also not the main feature, so let’s forgive our creators this discrepancy.

Why, in my opinion, the smell of urine has no clinical significance? Because the smell changes depending on a bunch of different factors that cannot be objectively taken into account.

Given the very minor manifestations of urinary tract infections in children, there are very few diagnostic methods, not because there are few methods, but because more is simply not needed. To diagnose a urinary tract infection in children, an examination by a pediatrician is sufficient. If the child can collect an average portion of urine, then a urine test will also help.

Also, if a urinary tract infection is suspected, ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder is performed in order to assess the state of these same organs [2].

The main examinations begin after a urinary tract infection, as we need to exclude what is called in medical language – a complicated urinary tract infection. Namely, anomalies in the development of the urinary tract.

Here again we run into differences, this time between the recommendations of pediatricians and the recommendations of urologists. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers that a single episode of urinary tract infection is not a reason to conduct an examination [1]. The American Association of Urology (there are no separate pediatric urologists and this is reasonable) does not agree with this idea, because there is about a 40% chance of missing vesicoureteral reflux and other pathologies that do not manifest themselves.

The European Association of Pediatric Urology also disagrees with the idea of ​​no examination for a single urinary tract infection. As a result, until a consensus was reached in the following way: if the child had a urinary tract infection and, according to ultrasound, he does not have signs of expansion of the pyelocaliceal system of the kidneys, then you can not examine, but control the ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder. If the child had a urinary tract infection more than 1 time, even without changes according to ultrasound, a complete urological examination is indicated [10].

Here, it is important to remember that the infection must be confirmed clinically. That is, there should be a clinical picture if we are talking about children under 2 years old. If the child is older than two years, then there should be a clinical picture, analysis and urine culture.

And the second point, which is no less important for children older than two years. If they have a urinary tract infection, it is imperative to indicate the location of the infection. This is where the well-known come on stage: cystitis and pyelonephritis.

How to treat?

Given the fact that we are talking about an infection, that is, about the presence of bacteria, we treat it with antibacterial drugs. The doctor at the appointment will tell you about the dosage, duration, etc., but there is no other method of treating the infection. If someone says: you have a urinary tract infection – drink vitamins, dietary supplements, herbal remedies – this has nothing to do with treatment. In order to cure the infection, you need to kill the bacteria in the urinary tract.

Where, then, are all the different preparations for prophylaxis?

They are for prevention. But prevention is the measures we take to prevent re-infection. It is usually done after treatment, when we have proven clear test results and understand that there are no bacteria in the urinary tract.

What methods are available to prevent UTIs in children?

Given the fact that there are natural functions of the body that protect us from the penetration of bacteria into the urinary tract, prevention should begin influencing these same functions:

1. Drinking regimen – there is no norm for fluid intake. Here it is important to dance from the characteristics of the body, someone needs a little more, someone a little less, however, when a girl of 7-8 years old comes to the reception, fills out a urination diary and we understand that she drinks 400-500 milliliters of fluid per day – it is still very small.
   A child under 3 years old usually drinks 200-900 ml. liquids. A child over 3 years of age usually drinks more than 1 liter. It is important to take into account all the liquid, and water and juice and tea and compote. That is, if a child drinks a cup of tea and 1 glass of water 4 times a day, most likely he does not have a deficit in fluid intake. Here our task is rather to offer a drink, since children tend to forget about it when they are busy with something interesting.

2. An integral part of the drinking regime – urination . Just as a child can forget to drink, go to the toilet, he too can forget or delay. It is important to remind the child of this. On average, this must be done 1 time in 2-2.5 hours.

3. Control of vaginal microflora in girls . Yes, unfortunately, even in little girls, often recurrent urinary tract infections occur due to problems in the vagina or problems associated with the vulva. An examination by a gynecologist is very important, since often the symptoms attributed to cystitis are not related to it.

4. Control of stool regularity . A constipated child is the number 1 candidate for a urinary tract infection. It is important to consume a sufficient amount of fiber, to monitor the regularity of the stool. If you can’t solve problems with the stool on your own, you need to contact a pediatrician or gastroenterologist.

5. Antibiotic prophylaxis – a situation where a child is prescribed to take uroseptic drugs for a long time. Yes, there is such a method. Yes, it’s in the instructions. But antibiotics do not cure the cause. If the infection recurs, there is a reason. The antibiotic treats the infection. The cause remains, which means that after the antibiotic is discontinued, it is likely to reappear.

Bladder infusions and instillations, physical therapy do not appear in the recommendations and decent studies, since there is no data on their effectiveness.

Currently, bacteriophage preparations are being actively studied and used for the prevention of urinary tract infections, including in children. According to currently available data, these methods show good efficiency, but research is ongoing.

Pins

As a conclusion, I would like to say that urinary tract infection is a rather wide problem for a number of reasons:

• Firstly, outpatient doctors have obvious difficulties in understanding the criteria for making this diagnosis and the tactics of examination and treatment of such children.

• Secondly, the cheapness and availability of basic urinalysis results in a huge stream of children with “bad” urinalysis who are prescribed therapy with the sole purpose of curing the analysis.

• Thirdly, at the same time, there is a fairly large number of children with recurrent cystitis, the diagnosis and treatment of which is carried out without taking into account any recommendations, using “author’s” treatment regimens, which is unacceptable in medicine in general, and especially in pediatric practice. The inefficiency of such methods significantly increases the duration of the disease, reduces the quality of life of children and parents, in addition, economically, these methods can be very costly for the family budget.

The problem of urinary tract infections in children is multidisciplinary in nature and requires the collaboration of several specialists to achieve a good result in the treatment of small patients.

Sources:

1. Chashchina I.L., Bakradze M.D. Optimization of antibiotic therapy for urinary tract infections in children // Medical Bulletin of the North Caucasus, 2010
2. Petrosyan E.K., Gavrilova V.A., Reznikov A.Yu. Treatment and prevention of recurrent urinary tract infection in children // Russian Bulletin of Perinatology and Pediatrics, 2010
3. Yesayan A.M., Nimgirova A.N. Urinary tract infections in children: etiopathogenesis, clinical picture, diagnosis, modern approaches to therapy // Questions of modern pediatrics, 2012
4. Loyman E., Tsygina A.N., Sargsyan A.A. Pediatric Nephrology: A Practical Guide // Litterra, 2010
5. Ammenti A, Cataldi L, Chimenz R. Febrile urinary tract infections in young

children: recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up // Acta Paediatr, 2012

1. Hodson EM, Willis NS, Craig JC. Antibiotics for acute pyelonephritis in children // Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2007

Urinary tract infections

05/18/2020

HELPFUL

• Non-alcoholic, caffeine-free drinks (for washing the urinary tract)
• Cranberry juice and blueberries 900 41
• Fresh fruits (especially citrus fruits) and vegetables (sources of vitamin C)

HARMFUL

• Products that irritate the bladder including coffee, tea and alcoholic beverages.

Urinary tract infections most often cause inflammation of the bladder ( cystitis ) and of the urethra ( urethritis ), less often of the ureters (ureteritis) and renal pelvis ( 902 29 pyelonephritis ). Common symptoms are frequent, difficult to control urge to urinate even when the bladder is not full . Urination may be accompanied by pain or burning, in severe cases urine appears blood . Possible fever and pain in the lower back .

In most cases, the causative agent is Escherichia coli or other intestinal bacteria that are present in faeces and can pass from the anal area to the urinary tract. Often the infection is caused by sexually transmitted bacteria – chlamydia and gonococci. Women suffer from these infections more often than men due to their shorter length urethra and the specifics of the location of its outlet.

There are also viral infections, in particular herpes can capture urethra .

Fungal lesions are quite common, most often candidiasis . Finally, damage to the kidneys and the genitourinary tract occurs due to parasites, including helminths (worms) and protozoa (malarial plasmodium, Trichomonas).

Nutritional approach

Infectious agents are eliminated with appropriate medications, and certain dietary changes contribute to recovery and prevention of relapse.

• It is recommended to drink 1.5-2 liters of fluid daily; this increases the volume of urine , flushing out pathogenic bacteria from the urinary tract.
• Coffee, tea, cola and alcohol are contraindicated – all of which irritate the bladder and exacerbate symptoms. Spicy foods can do the same.
• Cranberry juice is an ancient folk remedy, the effectiveness of which is confirmed by scientific research. Cranberries and blueberries contain substances that prevent bacteria from attaching to the urinary tract mucosa.
• Vitamin C strengthens the immune system and acidifies urine which is bad for bacteria.
• Calcium reduces bladder irritation .
• Probiotics (live cultures of lactic acid products) in intestines inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause urinary tract infections and help restore normal microflora that can be affected by antibiotics.