UTI more common in the monsoon

After the scorching heat, monsoon is like a festival in India. But rain clouds in India don’t just bring good news for all, they also bring with them bottomless potholes, waterlogged roads, endless traffic jams and stubborn infections.  This is primarily due to sudden changes in temperature which causes the immunity of the human body to decrease and increase the susceptibility to catch infections. Also, many organisms such as bacteria flourish lavishly owing to hot and humid conditions.

Urologists say, one of the most common infections that may increase during monsoon season is urinary tract infection (UTI). And women often have to face the maximum brunt of it.

“Urinary tract infection is not a very serious condition, but if not treated in time the infection may easily lead to a more severe condition”, says senior Urologist Ajit Saxena from Apollo Hospital.

1) It’s a known fact that women, as compared to men have more risk of getting affected by urinary tract infection as they have a smaller urethra than men. Thus, the germs causing the infection tend to travel faster to the bladder or the kidneys in a women's body in comparison to a man. Examples of urinary infections in India are most common in small towns and villages where sanitation still poses a threat. Rain water often mixes with the regular storage water in tanks (tanki) or in the wells, which are not aptly covered, and then the same water is used for bathing and cleaning, allowing bacteria and germs to travel to the body. Adequate sanitation can therefore keep this troublesome infection at bay.

2) For those who are already suffering from UTI, drinking plenty of water will help. A humid day could dehydrate you a lot more and then if you avoid drinking loads of water, the infection becomes worse. The bacteria present in and around the area may multiply tremendously during the monsoon season and worsen the infection.

3) If you get drenched in the rain, make sure you bathe immediately and wash up properly so there is no transfer of germs from the dirty rain water to your body.

4) Experts advice avoiding swimming in the monsoon season as the dirty rain water from the pool, especially in the monsoon season, could cause not just a serious urine infection but some really stubborn skin allergies. If swimming is extremely necessary, it should be done during hours when the pool is mostly empty and when the pool’s water is fresh and clean.

The treatment for a urinary infection is very simple and not at all painful. Simply drink lots of water all through the day and consume the antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. Make sure you eat the antibiotics regularly and complete the dose. If you fail to continue the regular dosage, there are chances that the infection may deteriorate.

Photo by theguardian.