Who is at risk of developing a kidney or urinary tract infection?

Women are most at risk from developing this painful and sometimes dangerous infection. Sexual Activity is the main risk factor for urinary tract infection in young women. About 80% of infections occur within 24 hours of sexual intercourse. Bacteria flow to the urethra during sexual intercourse.

Female anatomy: women are more likely to have kidney or urinary tract infection because a woman's urethra is shorter than a man's, therefore bacteria can reach the kidneys more quickly.

Pregnancy - Many pregnant women have asymptomatic bacteriuria that may develop into a kidney infection. Pregnant women should be tested for infections. Some women are more at risk due to diabetes, sickle cell trait, a medical history of kidney infections or women who have received epidural anesthesia.

Biologic and Physical Factors - Some women may have an anatomical problem that can increase the risk of kidney infection. Others have a genetic susceptibility to having kidney infections. Some women can have a lack of human beta-defensin-1 (HBD-1) that is said to be a naturally occurring antibiotic.

MEN:

After 50 years of age, men are more likely to develop prostate disorders. Some of these disorders can cause kidney infections. Recurrent infections are related to prostatitis, an infection of the prostate gland that is often caused by E. coli.

Urinary obstruction: if something reduces your ability to empty your bladder when you urinate (for example, a kidney stone), you will be more likely to have kidney infection as stagnant urine can travel up your kidneys and cause an infection.

CHILDREN:

Young children are at the greatest risk of kidney damage from urinary tract infections, especially if they have a urinary tract abnormality such as vesicoureteral reflux. Children who have this condition may suffer from recurrent kidney infections. This is because small quantity of urine flows from the bladder, back up into the urethra and kidneys. The backflow of urine may be the cause of kidney infection. Bacteria after multiplying in the bladder enter the kidneys. If left untreated serious damage such as scars, poor kidney growth, poor kidney function, high blood pressure, and other problems can occur. For this reason it is important that children with urinary tract infections receive prompt treatment and careful evaluation.

The following risk factors should be also taken into consideration: bowel incontinence, catheterization, kidney stones, menopause, narrowed urethra, and using a diaphragm.

Lauretta is a Registered Nurse, Midwife and Public Health Practitioner with a special interest in finding natural remedies for many health problems. KidneyandutiremedySecrets uncovers ways to treat kidney and urinary tract infections using 100% natural herbs and remedies.