World Sepsis Day 2023: How an untreated UTI can prove to be fatal

Sepsis can be caused by a number of infections, including gastrointestinal tract infections, lung infections, skin infections, and urinary tract infections (UTIs).

According to Dr Dipak Bhuktar, Consultant, Intensivist, SRV Hospitals – Goregaon, globally, approximately 150 million people are diagnosed with UTIs each year. “The lifetime risk of UTI development for women is 60%, whereas men face a significantly lower lifetime risk of only 13%,” he added.

What is a complicated UTI?

Clinically, urinary tract infection (UTI) is categorised into two groups — uncomplicated and complicated. “Uncomplicated UTIs primarily affect individuals who are in good health and have no structural or neurological abnormalities in their urinary tract,” said Dr Bhuktar, explaining that this category includes conditions such as cystitis (inflammation of the urinary bladder) and pyelonephritis (inflammation or infection involving the kidneys).

Complicated UTI arises from various factors that compromise the functionality of the urinary tract. (Source: Getty Images/ Thinkstock)

Dr Rahul Pandit, Chair, critical care, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, noted that untreated urinary tract infections can lead to a complicated infection.

“This means that there is an obstructed system i.e., there is an obstruction to the outflow of the urine because of an infection, especially because of papular encroses, which is commonly seen in diabetic patients. This can lead to an increase in the size of the kidney, which can cause hydronephrosis, or pyelonephritis, or pyelonephritis kidneys (infections in the kidneys itself),” he elaborated.

How do they arise and what are their complications?

Complicated UTI arises from various factors that compromise the functionality of the urinary tract. “These factors may encompass urinary obstructions, neurological conditions leading to urinary retention, renal failure, renal transplantation, pregnancy, and the presence of foreign objects like calculi, indwelling catheters, or other drainage devices,” said Dr Bhuktar.

Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in arresting the progression of the disease. (Source: Pexels)

Females are more susceptible to UTI as compared to males due to the short length of urethra, absence of prostatic secretion, pregnancy and easy contamination of the tract with faecal flora, according to experts.

If left untreated, it can cause a spread of germs across the body, causing organ dysfunction, and septic shock, which is life threatening. “If left untreated, septic shock alone has mortality in the range of 24 to 40%. Hence, it is very important that every single time you get a UTI, you must speak with a doctor and receive the right advice and then treat it,” said Dr Pandit.

What are the symptoms of complicated UTI?

Symptoms of urinary tract infection includes Dysuria (pain while passing urine), burning sensation at urethral region, fever, loss of appetite, decreased urine output, and kidney failure. Effective treatment strategies involve ensuring adequate hydration and administering antibiotic therapy tailored to the urine analysis and culture report.

Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in arresting the progression of the disease. If left untreated, UTIs can escalate to systemic infections, kidney failure, multi-organ damage, and ultimately, can be life-threatening.

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