Understand Your Health with the DIAG Urinary Tract Infections Panel

- Kidney: Essential for elderly individuals and those with underlying diseases to assess the impact of urinary tract infections on kidney health.

- Wellness Checkup: Suitable for comprehensive evaluation of the systemic effects of urinary tract infections, particularly when there is suspicion of infection spread.

- Pregnancy First Trimester: Essential for pregnant women in their first trimester to accurately identify infection status, as symptoms may be subtle or absent during pregnancy.

- Gestational Diabetes: Critical for pregnant women, especially those diagnosed with UTI, since infections tend to recur during pregnancy and may cause complications for both mother and fetus.

- STDs: Recommended for individuals with a history of unprotected sexual activity, as certain STDs may present with symptoms similar to UTIs, therefore need an accurate identification of the pathogens.

The test does not require any special preparations. You can eat, drink, and carry on with your daily activities as usual before taking the sample.

Pregnant women are at higher risk of urinary tract infections due to physiological and hormonal changes during pregnancy. The increase in progesterone levels relaxes the smooth muscles of the urinary system, slowing urine flow and creating a favorable environment for bacterial growth.

The enlarging uterus places pressure on the bladder and ureters, restricting urine flow and further increasing the risk of infection. Furthermore, the immune system in pregnant women is often suppressed to protect the fetus, reducing the body’s ability to combat bacterial agents.

If not detected and treated promptly, UTIs in pregnant women can lead to serious complications. These infections may lead to pyelonephritis, increasing the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, or even miscarriage. Therefore, early testing and treatment are crucial to safeguarding the health of both the mother and the baby.

Children should undergo urinary tract infections testing if they exhibit suspicious signs, especially infants and children under 2 years of age. Symptoms of UTIs in children can be vague or significantly different from those in adults.

UTIs in children often present as high fever, irritability, vomiting, or failure to thrive. These symptoms can easily be mistaken for other medical conditions. Therefore, urine testing is the most accurate method to determine the presence of bacteria causing urinary tract infections.

If not detected and treated early, UTIs can lead to complications such as kidney inflammation, permanent kidney damage, or long-term impairment of kidney function. Additionally, untreated infections may increase the risk of conditions such as hypertension, kidney failure, or even sepsis.

UTIs can result from habits or risk factors that are often overlooked:

- Wiping from back to front after using the toilet can transfer bacteria from the anus to the urethra, particularly in women.

- Not cleaning thoroughly after urination or defecation.

- Holding urine for prolonged periods creates an environment for bacteria to multiply in the bladder.

- Inadequate water intake reduces the body’s ability to flush bacteria out of the urinary tract through urine.

- Unsafe sexual practices allow bacteria to enter the urethra.

- Prolonged use of urinary catheters

- Tight or non-breathable clothing creates a moist environment conducive to bacterial growth.

- Bathing in public or shared tubs with unhygienic water.

Urinary tract infections can recur, especially in individuals at high risk or those who have not undergone thorough treatment. Recurrence often happens when bacteria from a previous infection are not completely eradicated or when new bacteria enter the urinary tract.

Women are particularly susceptible to recurrent UTIs due to their shorter urethra and its proximity to the anus, which facilitates the re-entry of bacteria.

Bacteria: Bacteria account for over 80% of urinary tract infections cases. The most common causative agent is Escherichia coli (E. coli), which can infect the urethra due to improper hygiene. Other bacterial species associated with cystitis, urethritis, or kidney infections include: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Enterococcus faecalis.

Viruses: Adenovirus causes hemorrhagic cystitis. Polyomavirus BK commonly affects kidney transplant patients. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can also impact the urinary tract. Viral infections often damage the mucosal lining and weaken urinary tract function, leading to symptoms such as hematuria (blood in the urine) or painful urination.

Fungi: The most frequently encountered fungus is Candida albicans. Fungal urinary tract infections are more common in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with diabetes, those on long-term antibiotic therapy, or those with prolonged urinary catheter use. Symptoms typically include painful urination or hematuria.

Parasites: The most common parasite is Schistosoma haematobium, which causes urinary schistosomiasis. This parasite thrives in contaminated water sources and can lead to chronic inflammation and bladder cancer.

UTIs are classified into two main types: lower urinary tract infections and upper urinary tract infections.

Lower urinary tract infections: These infections occur in the lower parts of the urinary system, including the urethra and bladder. Lower UTIs are the most common and typically present in two main forms: urethritis and cystitis. Urethritis is inflammation of the urethra, often causing burning or itching during urination. Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder, characterized by symptoms such as frequent urination, painful urination, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, and a feeling of pressure or discomfort in the lower abdomen.

Upper urinary tract infections: These infections affect the upper parts of the urinary system, including the ureters and kidneys. Upper UTIs can lead to severe complications if not treated promptly, such as permanent kidney damage or sepsis. The most common upper UTI is pyelonephritis, with symptoms including high fever, chills, lower back or flank pain, nausea, vomiting and hematuria.