E. coli in urine during pregnancy: causes and dangers

104 but 105 CFU/ml urine, it passes without symptoms or other abnormal findings. In this case, there is a possibility of infection by other microbes. If the culture shows the growth of various types of microorganisms, it is likely that this is due to a contaminated sample.

Treatment

In most cases, treatment consists of local or outpatient therapy. Reducing escherichia coli infections is necessary by replenishing fluids and electrolytes in the body. It is also necessary to ensure rest and be sure to monitor for the development of additional symptoms. If you have bloody diarrhea and fever, you should consult a doctor before taking antidiuretics. If there are signs of dehydration, especially if the child has escherichia coli in the urine, hospitalization and intravenous fluids are necessary. In some cases, your doctor may suggest antibiotics such as penicillin, tetracycline, and cephalosporin. For most patients, improvements occur within 5-7 days after the onset of the disease.

Prevention

Safe food preparation practices can reduce the chances of developing endemic diseases due to the presence of pathogenic prokaryotes. These include:

careful processing of vegetables and fruits;

hand washing with warm water and soap;

avoiding cross-contamination of cooking utensils and food;

proper cooking of meat;

defrosting meat products in the refrigerator or microwave;

consumption of only pasteurized dairy products.

Escherichia coli is not resistant to high temperatures. Just 20 minutes of cooking at 600C will rid the urinary tract of these pathogenic microbes.

Even more information, in particular about the symptoms, is in the video:

The administration of the portal categorically does not recommend self-medication and advises consulting a doctor at the first symptoms of the disease.

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Source: https://medportal.net/e-coli-v-moche/

Escherichia coli (Escherichia coli)

The human intestine contains a large number of different bacteria. Some of them are useful, because... help the metabolic process. Among the many microorganisms is a species called Escherichia coli or E. coli.

Escherichia coli is a rod-shaped, gram-negative bacterium that inhabits the lower intestine. It helps the synthesis of vitamin K, which improves the permeability of vascular walls. The stick is beneficial only when it is within the human intestine.

But this bacterium can penetrate other human organs. This happens when immunity decreases. E. coli has antennae, thanks to which it moves inside the human body. After penetration into the internal organs, the microorganism begins to actively multiply and cause harm, releasing strong toxins.

Pathogenic bacillus in the urine is quite often detected in women during pregnancy. The bacterium can be in the urinary system even before pregnancy or enter as a result of decreased immunity. Its reproduction causes extensive foci of inflammation and poses a threat to the health of the mother and the unborn baby.

Impact of bacteria on the body of a pregnant woman: risks to the fetus

Those who gave birth with E. coli know firsthand about the dangers of escherichia coli for their health and the health of the fetus. Its detection in a smear is a very bad signal. The expectant mother may develop vaginosis, which worsens an already deplorable situation.

It weakens the immune system much more. Those who have treated the pathology share their experience that this is a long and difficult process, which is completely undesirable while waiting for the baby to be born. The disease can lead to fetal pathologies and even premature birth.

Reasons for the appearance of bacteria in urine

As already noted, the main reason for the penetration of bacteria is a decrease in immunity. In addition, there are a number of factors that can contribute to the appearance of E. coli in the urine:

neglect of personal hygiene. Women should wash their genitals from front to back. This avoids the passage of bacteria from the intestines to the vagina and urinary tract;
a large number of sexual partners. Poor personal hygiene in men can lead to infection of the genitourinary system with E. coli;
frequent anal-vaginal sex. With this type of sexual activity, bacteria from the intestines very quickly penetrate into the woman’s body;
the presence of infections or diseases that are sexually transmitted;
the presence of pathologies in the urinary organs before conceiving a child (cystitis, pyelonephritis, urethritis, kidney stones, etc.);
wearing very tight or synthetic underwear. Such underwear promotes chafing of the skin, as well as the rapid proliferation and penetration of bacteria from the intestines into the genitourinary organs;
hormonal imbalances;
relapses of chronic diseases;
constipation and dysbiosis;
caries.

Pregnancy causes big changes in a woman's body. As the uterus grows, it begins to compress all internal organs. The urinary system experiences the most pressure, which leads to stagnation of urine and the proliferation of bacteria in it.

Regardless of the exact reason why the bacteria appeared in the urine, it is necessary to carry out the necessary treatment as soon as possible to avoid the spread of infection. Lack of therapy will lead to extensive inflammation of internal organs and pose a risk of pregnancy.

How to prevent the proliferation of microorganisms?

To prevent the proliferation of microorganisms within the genitourinary system, it is necessary to follow a number of simple recommendations:

Treat any intestinal infections promptly. Most often it enters here from the intestines.
Adhere to the rules of personal hygiene. You need to wash every day, preferably 2 times a day. You need to learn how to wash yourself properly. The product should be applied from the vagina to the perineum, but not vice versa.
Avoid wearing tight underwear. As a result, blood circulation in the pelvic area may be impaired, which can cause changes in the vaginal microflora.
Don't wear panty liners every day. They need to be placed only when heavy discharge appears. They do not allow enough air to enter the vagina. Because of this, pathogenic microorganisms can develop here.
Do not wear synthetic underwear. Also prevents air from entering. Wearing thongs every day is also not recommended.
Engage in anal sex with caution, or better yet, avoid it. It is impossible for a partner to alternately penetrate different holes. This can lead to the proliferation of intestinal microorganisms in the vagina.

It is better to prevent the proliferation of E. coli, since its appearance in the vaginal area brings a lot of discomfort to a woman. Pregnancy recommends planning ahead to treat all pathologies and avoid further complications.

Bacteriuria in pregnant women

The condition of the body in which a large number of E. coli are detected in the urine is called bacteriuria. Quite often I diagnose this pathology during pregnancy. The sooner the bacteria is detected, the greater the chance of a speedy recovery and no complications.

Bacteriuria can be of two types:

real, when a pathogenic microorganism enters the organs of the genitourinary system from the intestines and is initially present in the urine;
false, when the stick enters the urine through blood that comes from other foci of inflammation.

Symptoms of bacteriuria

Bacteriuria during pregnancy may occur at first without the manifestation of any characteristic signs. But as the fetus grows, the immune system weakens and the workload increases, the state of health begins to deteriorate.

Initially, a woman begins to notice signs of vaginitis and changes in the color of urine. As the bacteria advance and infect the organs of the urinary system, acute inflammation and more obvious signs of inflammation begin, similar to the symptoms of pyelonephritis and cystitis.

Bacteriuria manifests itself with the following symptoms:

spontaneous leakage of urine;
changes in the color and smell of urine, as well as sedimentation;
pain when urinating;
pain in the back and abdomen;
bouts of sweating and cold;
profuse vaginal discharge with a pungent odor;
attacks of nausea, vomiting;
decreased appetite;
weakness, fatigue.

The absence of symptoms at the initial stage makes it much more difficult to diagnose the pathology. At the first unpleasant signs of the genitourinary system, you should immediately consult a doctor and undergo an examination.

Effect of the disease on the fetus

The presence of escherichia coli in the urine of a pregnant woman is a very dangerous condition. This bacterium produces strong toxins and causes the development of inflammatory processes in the organs where it settles. Inflammation further reduces the pregnant woman’s immunity, as a result of which other infections can freely enter the body.

Possible complications of bacteriuria during pregnancy include:

onset of labor prematurely or miscarriage due to early discharge of amniotic fluid;
placental abruption due to bacteria attempting to enter the fetal bloodstream;
congenital pathologies of the child due to the penetration of the rod into the blood of the fetus;
development of meningitis in a child due to the fact that the bacterium is very toxic;
irreversible kidney damage;
pneumonia or sepsis as a result of organ infection;
damage to the lining of the digestive tract;
death of a child after birth due to infection at the time of birth. The baby's immunity is very weak and cannot resist bacteria, the child dies.

Such dangerous consequences can be avoided if you consult a doctor in time and carry out appropriate treatment.

Symptoms of this problem

Signs and symptoms of the genitourinary system are not always evident.

However, the main ones are:

strong desire to go to the toilet;
burning sensation when urinating;
frequent passage of urine in small quantities;
cloudy urine;
urine that is red, pink, or coca-cola-colored is a sign of blood;
persistent odor;
Pelvic pain in women - especially in the center of the pelvis and around the frontal bones.

In pensioners, a urinary tract infection may be mistaken for another pathology, which is why careful diagnosis is necessary.

Specific manifestations of urinary infections:

Kidneys (acute pyelonephritis) – pain on the sides and back, high temperature, chills and trembling, nausea, vomiting.
Bladder (cystitis) – pressure in the pelvis, discomfort in the lower abdomen, frequent painful urination, blood in the urine.
Urinary tract (urethritis) – discharge, burning sensation when urinating.

www.mayoclinic.org

Urine test for E. coli

The most basic way to diagnose bacteriuria is a general urine test. An important role in conducting a urine test is the preparation and collection of a urine sample. If collected incorrectly, there is a high probability of bacteria entering the urine from outside. In this case, the result will be incorrect and a retake will be required.

Preparing for analysis

The basic rules for passing the analysis are:

Before collecting the sample, you must thoroughly wash your genitals;
the vagina should be covered with a tampon or cotton wool;
Urine should only be collected in a sterile container;
when collecting urine, make sure that the stream does not touch the labia;
After collection, carefully close the container, being careful not to touch the inner surface;
the sample is submitted to the laboratory no later than 1.5 hours after collection.

Diagnosis of bacteriuria

If bacteria are detected in urine during a general analysis, additional examinations are necessarily prescribed:

bacterial culture of urine to determine the type of bacteria;
smears from the vagina and urethra;
general and biochemical blood test;
urine test according to Nechiporenko;
Ultrasound of the urinary system;
screening tests;
Doppler.

After all the examinations, the doctor can accurately make a diagnosis, as well as assess the severity of the pathology, the nature of its spread and what harm it caused to the mother and fetus. Based on the data obtained, appropriate therapy is prescribed.

How to get rid of illness in a baby

E. coli in the urine indicates the presence of a urinary tract infection. In newborns and children up to two months with pyelonephritis, there are usually no manifestations at the level of the urinary tract. Infection is detected during evaluation for sepsis.

Symptoms in newborns may include jaundice, fever, growth retardation, poor nutrition, vomiting, irritability.

Infants from 2 months to 2 years old exhibit the following symptoms: eating disorders, fever, vomiting, strong-smelling urine, abdominal pain, irritability. Since it is not always possible to get rid of the infection at home, you will need the help of a specialist.

Hospitalization is required for the following patients with urinary tract infections:

patients with intoxication or sepsis;
patients with signs of urinary obstruction or serious additional pathology;
patients unable to take medications;
infants under 2 months with fever and urinary tract infection (presumably pyelonephritis);
all children under 1 month with suspected infection, even without fever;
children from 2 months to 2 years with primary fever and infection.

If clinical evaluation reveals the need for immediate antibiotic therapy, urine should first be collected for analysis and culture before initiating treatment.

Empirical therapy involves the use of:

third generation cephalosporins;
amoxicillin/clavulanate or sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra, Co-trimoxazole, etc.).

emedicine.medscape.com

Methods for treating pathology in pregnant women

If E. coli is detected in the urine, certain therapy is required. Destruction of the bacillus is possible only with the use of antibiotics. But during pregnancy there is a high risk of negative effects of medications on the fetus and its further development.

Treatment should be selected by the doctor very carefully, taking into account possible side effects. Self-treatment is strictly prohibited, because can harm not only the health of the mother, but also the unborn baby.

Drug treatment

Modern developments in the field of medicine have helped create antibiotics that have the least impact on the body and have virtually no effect on the fetus during pregnancy. The doctor selects not only the safest drug, but also prescribes the minimum dose to minimize the risk for the mother and child.

Among the safest medications during pregnancy are:

amoxicillins (Amoxiclav and Augmentin);
penicillins (Oxycillin);
cephalosparins (Ceftriaxone and Cefoperazone);
macrolides (Erythromycin, Azithromycin, Vilprafen);
antimicrobial (Furagin);
anti-inflammatory (Cyston, Canephron).

The type of drug, its dosage and course duration depend on the degree of spread of the bacterium and the severity of the inflammation. In case of extensive damage, the pregnant woman may be hospitalized and treated in a hospital.

After completing the course of antibiotics, which usually lasts from 10 to 14 days, a repeat urine test is prescribed to assess the effectiveness of treatment. If bacteriuria is detected again, a drug from a different group is prescribed. This change allows you to determine the most effective remedy.

During antibiotic therapy, changes occur in the microflora of the intestines and vagina, and a large number of beneficial bacteria die. This can lead to dysbiosis or digestive disorders. To minimize such side effects of treatment, it is necessary to consume fermented milk products and take medications with probiotics.

To maintain immunity and increase the body's defenses, a pregnant woman needs to take vitamin complexes. Such drugs should be selected by the attending physician, because not all complexes are allowed during this period.

Traditional medicine

Traditional medicine offers many recipes for the treatment of bacteriuria. On their own, such methods will not be able to completely cure the disease, but they serve as a good addition to the main treatment and effectively eliminate unpleasant symptoms.

Recipe examples:

decoctions of medicinal herbs. They are used to wash the genitals. Herbs such as chamomile, string and calendula have a calming, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect;
plantain decoction. This plant has an antimicrobial, diuretic, sedative, thinning and healing effect. It effectively helps with diseases of the urinary system, but during pregnancy it must be taken with great caution;
propolis. It is a unique natural remedy that relieves inflammation, heals tissue and fights bacteria. It can be added to food either in pure form or in the form of oil.

Prevention of bacteriuria

E. coli is dangerous for a woman’s body, especially during pregnancy, because threatens the development and life of the unborn child. It is important to monitor your health and prevent it from penetrating the genitourinary system. Preventive measures help minimize the risk of bacteriuria or avoid re-infection after successful treatment.

Prevention consists of the following:

use a condom during sexual intercourse;
strictly observe the rules of personal hygiene;
exclude douching;
drink enough fluids per day;
refuse hygiene products with fragrances;
do not wear tight or synthetic underwear;
If any discomfort occurs, consult a doctor immediately.

conclusions

Every person wants to be healthy and avoid hospitals and pharmacies. It is especially important for women who are expecting the birth of a baby to be healthy. Knowing the reasons for the appearance of an infection such as E. coli in the body, expectant mothers should be careful and, if possible, avoid factors that can cause this unpleasant disease.

In addition, it is important to take all tests and undergo diagnostic examinations prescribed by the attending physician, and if an unpleasant diagnosis is confirmed, immediately begin treatment of the disease. Summer is a golden time for E. coli. Therefore, do not be lazy to introduce your friends on social networks to the important and instructive information contained in the article.

If after reading the article you have questions, ask them in your comments. We will be happy to answer them. Take time to broaden your horizons, which can be useful to you in unexpected health situations, especially during pregnancy. Until new topics!

Sincerely, Katherine Grimova, mother of a wonderful daughter!

Medicines for treatment

If the Escherichia coli bacterium is detected, treatment should be started immediately, which is based on antibacterial therapy, taking into account the test results.

For pregnant women, the most harmless types of antibacterial drugs are selected, taking into account the duration of pregnancy, with the least side effects and contraindications. They are prescribed in a gentle dosage, which should not harm the health of the mother and baby. An important role in the treatment of E. coli is played by the restoration of water-salt balance. At the first signs of dehydration, Regidron, Oralit, Acesol or Trisol are prescribed. Self-medication, of course, is contraindicated in this situation.

Antibiotics

Treatment should be carried out with the following types of antibiotics:

Amoxicillin (Augmentin, Amoxiclav).
Penicillin.
Cephalosporins (their choice depends on the stage of pregnancy).

Approved medications for pregnant women

For pregnant women, the antimicrobial drug Furagin also has a good effect, which has no contraindications, but can only be taken up to 35 weeks. For homeopathic treatment, gynecologists prescribe an anti-inflammatory drug of plant origin - Canephron.

Treatment of illness with folk remedies

Of course, you cannot do without drug therapy, but treatment with traditional methods is very effective in this situation. A pregnant woman should wash herself every day with infusions of Chamomile, Turmeric or Calendula. They have excellent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

A good remedy is a decoction of Plantain, brewed with boiling water, which should be drunk 2-3 times a day for 10 days.

Celandine officinalis, which has anti-inflammatory properties, has proven itself to be excellent. You also need to pour boiling water over it and let it brew, drink 10 milliliters once a day.

Symptoms

If a person's bladder is infected with E. coli, the following symptoms occur:

during the process of urination, a sharp pain or burning sensation occurs in the bladder;
there is a feeling of chills, the person has a fever;
blood or purulent discharge may appear in the urine. Urination is accompanied by yellow or green mucus;
an unpleasant pulling sensation appears in the lumbar region;
a person constantly feels the urge to go to the toilet.

But there are cases when such a disease is asymptomatic. This usually happens in those people whose immune system works very well.

Microorganisms enter the body in several ways. This can be the oral-fecal method or contact-household method. If the stick entered the body through the oral-fecal route, this means that fecal matter somehow got into drinking water or onto plants that a person eats.

In the case of the contact-household method, bacteria enter the body in the event of outbreaks of epidemics in large groups. This method contributes to the infection of the baby during birth, in case of illness of the mother.

Symptoms when the rod multiplies in the urethra and bladder are not always clearly expressed, especially in the first stages. Detection of bacteria in urine is possible only by the results of a bacterial culture test. If the growth of a pathogenic strain is not stopped in time, it begins to multiply rapidly, affecting the kidney tissue and nearby organs of the genitourinary system. Symptoms for which an E. coli test is prescribed:

Signs of intoxication (nausea, vomiting, headache).
With the development of pyelonephritis associated with the proliferation of Escherichia coli, the presence of purulent formations and mucous clots with blood streaks are determined in the urine.
Urination of urine in a small volume, frequent urge, often to no avail. After a short time interval, the urge is repeated, accompanied by pain in the lumbar region.
A constant feeling of discomfort in the genital area in the form of pain, itching, burning. The sensation does not change either during the act of urination or without it.

There is an increase in temperature against the background of general fatigue, deterioration, and weakness. Activity and ability to work decreases.
Women have a painful periodic cycle, with intense release of large amounts of menstrual blood. Sexual intercourse is accompanied by pain, often the menstrual cycle is disrupted, which, in turn, makes it difficult to conceive.
In women, pregnancy occurs with toxicosis and dysfunction of urination.

The presence of E. coli in a man's urine leads to erectile dysfunction and pain during ejaculation. The time spent on intimate relationships with a partner is reduced. In an advanced form of bacteriuria, a change in the size of the testicles is visually noted. There is a risk of infertility.