Pus in urine can be caused by bacterial infections, urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases, or abscesses. UTIs are a common cause and can be prevented with better hygiene. Pregnant women should seek medical attention if they notice pus in their urine. Treatment usually involves antibiotics and keeping the genital region clean and dry. Invasive measures may be needed if regular antibiotics do not work.
Pus in the urine is typically caused by a bacterial infection. Urinary tract infections are among the most common, but kidney inflammation and infection can lead to similar results. Pus can also be a sign of a sexually transmitted disease such as chlamydia, or it could be caused by a filled abscess on or near the kidney. Pregnant women who notice pus in their urine are usually advised to seek immediate medical attention as infections that might otherwise be considered “minor” can be life-threatening to the fetus.
Urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infections, commonly abbreviated to “UTIs,” are a leading cause. In these cases the pus is not actually in the urine as it were, but it appears that way as both substances leave the body together. In most cases, pus builds up in the lining of the urethra, then merges with the urine as it is expelled. This often causes a slight stinging or stinging sensation, and the resulting ejection tends to have a frothy, cloudy appearance along with an unpleasant or acidic odor.
There are a number of reasons people develop urinary tract infections, but they all have to do with bacteria entering the urinary tract. Sometimes this is almost unavoidable, as is the case with cultures from the bloodstream entering the tract, but in many cases it can be prevented with better hygiene or more intentional self-care. Wearing freshly washed undergarments, for example, can help prevent bacteria from entering the genitals from the outside world, and making a difference when you clean and use the bathroom can also make a difference. Women are often prone to getting urinary tract infections even after intercourse, as fluids and secretions can easily move from the sexual organs to the urinary opening. Men have some risk in these scenarios, but it’s not that high.
Stages of infection
The most basic UTIs occur at the opening of the urethra and are generally considered to be relatively minor. Medical professionals typically refer to this type of infection as urethritis. However, sometimes the infection is much more extensive and can spread through the bladder and up to the kidney, where urine is produced. Infections in the bladder are usually called cystosis; those in the kidney are referred to as pyelonephritis.
Sexually transmitted diseases
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are another common cause of pus in the urine and can be bacterial or viral. Chlamydia is one of the most commonly diagnosed diseases, but many different diseases, from herpes to gonorrhea, can include pus-filled urine as a symptom, usually accompanied by fever and abdominal pain. Pus is usually a byproduct of the body’s immune response as it tries to fight off the infection and is almost always a sign that treatment is needed. Not all STDs are serious, but few will go away on their own. Infected people should usually get help as quickly as possible both to get rid of the ailment and to prevent the infection from spreading and getting worse.
abscesses
An abscess is an abnormal growth that can form on almost any internal tissue. They tend to grow in response to specific pressures or stresses, such as wounds that have never adequately healed or injuries that have not received treatment; inflammation and internal swelling may also be to blame. When abscesses occur along the urinary tract, in the bladder, or on the kidney, pus can sometimes ooze out or mix with the urine. The growths are often not dangerous in and of themselves, but once they start to shed a person is at a much higher risk of infection or blood contamination.
Special concerns during pregnancy
Medical experts often advise pregnant women to pay extra attention to their urine as urinary tract infections and other infections can be life-threatening to the fetus. Prompt treatment of infections can be the difference between a healthy pregnancy and fetal death or defects. Cloudy, pus-like discharge can also be a sign that labor is imminent, although thick mucus is often what is coming out in these cases. A certain amount of mucus secretion is usually required to clear the cervical opening for the baby to be born.
Common treatments
Healthcare providers often begin treating both UTIs and STDs with a course of antibiotics to destroy the bacteria and clear up the infection. People receiving this treatment are usually advised to drink plenty of fluids and take special care to keep the genital region clean and dry.
If regular antibiotics don’t seem to be working, more invasive measures may be needed. Ultrasound and other imaging technology can often help detect the presence of abscesses, for example, and surgery may be needed to remove severely infected tissue or unusually large growths. People can often avoid these findings by getting a medical evaluation at the first sign of cloudy or otherwise unusual urine.
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