Endocarditis: Infection of the heart's inner lining-Endocarditis - Symptoms & causes
I Lost My Hands And Legs From A Super-common Infection That Affects Millions Of People A Year
A quadruple amputee says an incredibly common infection that affects about 15 million women in the US every year — and is usually cleared up by antibiotics — nearly killed her.
And it wasn't because she didn't seek medical attention — even if she did initially put down her symptoms to other things like asthma and cold weather.
In fact, both a hospital and a doctor turned her away before things took a turn for the worse.
While vacationing in Spain, Kim developed pain in her lower back that she attributed to a UTI. Tiktok/@kims2dchanceHolding up her arms, which are amputated at the wrist, a British woman named Kim (@kims2dchance) explained, "This was caused by a UTI."
"I lost my hands and my legs above the knee because of a UTI. It developed into sepsis, and it almost killed me," she added..
UTIs begin when bacteria enter the urethra and multiply, infecting the urinary tract.
Symptoms include the urgent need to urinate, a burning sensation when peeing, pressure or pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic region, cloudy or blood-tinged urine, and urine with a strong odor.
The infection is 30 times more common in women, affecting about 60% of all women once in their lifetime — compared to about 12% of men.
While vacationing in Spain, Kim developed pain in her lower back that she attributed to a UTI.
Even as her pain worsened and her symptoms expanded, Kim initially dismissed her discomfort.
"I had severe breathlessness that I put down to my asthma," she said. "I had confusion and slurred speech, and I put that down to a medication that I used to take. I wasn't passing much urine that day, but I hadn't really noticed. I had uncontrolled shivering, but I just thought, 'It's the cold weather.'"
After being airlifted back to the UK for treatment, her limbs, which had turned black as a result of the sepsis, required amputation. Thaiview – stock.Adobe.ComHowever, her instincts told her to seek medical attention.
"Something in my gut told me that I wasn't right and something wasn't normal, and to get to the hospital," she recalled.
"They turned me away. I went to the doctor's the following day. He turned me away. I now know I was already septic then."
Given a prescription for antibiotics that the local pharmacy was unable to fill, Kim returned to her hotel only to wake up in the middle of the night in life-threatening pain.
Her husband took her to the emergency room, where she was put into a medically induced coma.
Kim's UTI had developed into sepsis, which occurs when a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection impacts the body's immune system, causing a high heart rate, fever, or fast breathing.
Septic shock is the most severe form of sepsis, when a blood infection lowers one's blood pressure to dangerous levels, eventually damaging multiple organs and sometimes leading to death.
After Kim was airlifted back to the UK for treatment, her limbs, which had turned black as a result of the sepsis, required amputation.
"How I survived, I do not know. It's a miracle, but I think it's so that I can warn you and save your life," she said.
Bacterial infections are the most common cause of sepsis, while the most frequent viral causes include flu and COVID-19.
About three in every 10 hospital patients with severe sepsis and half of those with septic shock die.
"I'm here to warn you that if you've got any infection at all, don't think it won't happen to you because I was fit and healthy and it happened to me. And it could be you. Watch out for symptoms of sepsis," cautioned Kim.
What are the signs of sepsis?Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Symptoms & Warning Signs - WebMD
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in the urinary system. This is the system that makes and stores urine and carries it out of your body. An infection can happen when bacteria get into any part of your urinary tract, which includes the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys. Most UTIs affect the urethra and bladder.
UTI symptoms can vary depending on:
E. Coli is the most common bacteria that causes urinary tract infections (UTIs). (Photo Credit: Science Photo Library)
Your urinary tract has two parts: upper and lower. The upper urinary tract includes the kidneys, which make pee, and the ureters, which carry pee to your bladder.
Symptoms of an upper urinary tract infection include:
Urinary tract infections are more common in women than in men. When men do get a UTI, often the cause is an enlarged prostate, called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). As the prostate grows it blocks the flow of pee out of the bladder. Bacteria can grow in the pee that's stuck in the bladder and cause an infection.
In men, a UTI causes symptoms such as:
These infections are common in children, especially in girls. About 8% of girls and almost 2% of boys under age 7 will get at least one UTI.
UTI symptoms are different in babies and children than in adults. A baby with a urinary infection may:
Older children may have:
If bacteria spread into your upper urinary tract, they could damage your kidney. These germs also might get into your bloodstream and cause a very serious infection.
The symptoms of a kidney infection may be more severe than symptoms of other UTIs. You might have:
Sometimes, a mild UTI will go away on its own, but most of the time you'll need antibiotics to treat it. Contact your doctor if you have symptoms of a UTI, such as:
Taking antibiotics can prevent a UTI from turning into a more serious kidney infection.
Kids with a UTI should always see a doctor. The infection won't clear up on its own.
UTIs are infections of the urinary tract — the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. While some mild infections go away on their own, usually you'll need antibiotics to treat them. See your doctor if your UTI symptoms don't improve in a few days or get worse.
How do I know if I have an infection in my urinary tract?
You'll know you have a UTI by symptoms such as burning when you pee, pain in your lower belly or back, cloudy or smelly urine, and an urgent need to pee.
What is the main reason for a urinary tract infection?
UTIs happen when bacteria travel up the urethra to the bladder. Women get more UTIs than men because they have a shorter urethra that's closer to their anus. Bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract can spread to your urethra if you wipe from back to front after you poop. Germs can also spread to the urethra during sex.
How do you clear a UTI fast?
Antibiotics can treat UTIs. These medicines kill the bacteria that cause urinary tract infections. Symptoms should improve within 3-5 days after you start taking an antibiotic.
What does UTI pee look like?
Pee is normally pale yellow. With a UTI, the pee may look cloudy or bloody (red, pink, or dark brown).
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