During the second wave, a large number of COVID-19 patients in the age group of 20-60 were diagnosed to have urinary tract infections (UTIs). Even now the doctors are not sure in regards to the exact cause behind this is. However, it is believed that the problem may have cropped up due to the inflammation of the urinary tract due to the viral infection.
A 35-year-old female from Mumbai, complained of a burning sensation and pain while passing urine, which was then detected as UTI. The woman is a lawyer by profession and developed these symptoms while recovering from COVID-19. She had received steroids during her course of treatment for COVID-19 which probably predisposed an otherwise healthy female to a UTI. With prompt treatment, she got back on track from the UTI. There are many COVID-19 patients who complained about UTI, many of whom had UTI due to fungal infection.
Dr Tarun Jain, Urologist, Apollo Spectra Mumbai, said, “A urinary tract infection (UTI) is seen in any part of your urinary system that is the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Burning sensation during urination, cloudy urine, frequent urination, blood in the urine, fever, frequent urination, foul-smelling urine, pelvic and abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, are the symptoms of it. A UTI invites serious complications like inflammation of the kidney or even sepsis, if not tackled at the right time. Steroid treatment and uncontrolled controlled diabetes are some of the common reasons for UTI in Covid patients. Also, the widespread use of antibiotics coupled with steroids has resulted in fungal UTI which was a rare condition otherwise.”
Dr Jain added, “Even post-Covid patients are developing UTIs especially females who have received steroids and males who had been catheterised during the treatment for Covid. To manage urinary tract infections (UTIs), you need to embrace some lifestyle modifications. Hydration is important so drink enough water, don’t hold urine for an extended period of time, wash undergarments properly before using them, it is not recommended to use public toilets and swimming pools, say NO to chemical products down there, go for probiotics and not antibiotics, maintain good bathroom hygiene, women should wipe from front to back after using the washroom to prevent bacteria from spreading from anal to vagina and urethra, change sanitary napkins after every 2-4 hours during menstruation. Avoid soft drinks and caffeine until the infection has cleared. These things can irritate the bladder and aggravate the frequent or urgent need to urinate.”
“Also an important point to be mentioned is to avoid over-the-counter consumption of antibiotics,” concluded Dr Jain.
Dr. Sheshang Kamath, Urologist, Wockhardt Hospital, Mira Road Said, “About 200 Patients in the age group 35 to 75 years have been treated for UTI during the second wave. It is necessary to stick to lifestyle changes such as avoiding caffeine and alcohol, because they irritate the blabber. Place a hot water bottle on the pelvic region to get rid of pain and discomfort. Even a warm bath can do the trick here. ”
It is advisable to adopt lifestyle changes such as good bathroom hygiene and avoid using public toilets to manage urinary tract infections.
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