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What Is the Treatment for Urinary Sepsis?

Deneatra Harmon
Deneatra Harmon

Treatment for urinary sepsis depends on the stage of the illness, which is a complication from an infection in the body. Several medications may be required to treat the problem early and aggressively. Close monitoring and surgery may be necessary for more serious cases of urinary sepsis. Treating it early boosts the patient’s chance of survival, whereas ignoring the symptoms can result in septic shock or death.

Upon diagnosing urinary sepsis, the doctor prescribes to the patient certain types of medications that treat the infection. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are usually given intravenously to get rid the common types of bacteria that cause illness in the body. The doctor then follows up with additional blood tests to identify the specific source of bacteria that is causing the sepsis. Once results become available, the patient may switch to a new antibiotic for the specific source of infection.

The human urinary tract.
The human urinary tract.

If necessary, the doctor may also prescribe other medications to control blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Vasopressors help to treat sepsis patients whose blood pressure drops to dangerously low levels. These medications keep blood pressure under control by constricting the body’s blood vessels. Insulin may also be prescribed to stabilize blood sugar while treating urinary sepsis.

Urinary sepsis can be treated by intravenous antibiotics.
Urinary sepsis can be treated by intravenous antibiotics.

Attention must also be paid to other symptoms associated with the infection. The doctor may administer drugs to keep the immune system from weakening. Low-dose corticosteroids may be provided to treat inflammation, while sedatives and painkillers help to treat discomfort from the illness.

Fluid-based therapy may also be in store for patients with a severe case of urinary sepsis. While in treatment, patients receive several amounts of intravenous fluids to prevent further damage to the body. IV fluids help to protect the vital organs as well as regulate blood pressure so that the patient doesn’t go into shock. According to one medical resource, standard types of IV fluids used for treating sepsis include crystalloids and colloids. Crystalloids consist of water-soluble saline that enters the bloodstream, while colloids are made of a thicker, harder-to-dissolve substance, such as blood.

IV fluids help to protect the vital organs and regulate blood pressure so that patients don’t go into shock.
IV fluids help to protect the vital organs and regulate blood pressure so that patients don’t go into shock.

Depending on the patient and the seriousness of the sepsis, additional therapies and procedures may be used to protect other functions of the body. For example, oxygen from a ventilator can help the patient to breathe easily. Renal dialysis may also be administered to help the kidneys to filter toxins out of the blood. In some instances, surgery may be required to remove abscesses, or pus, as well as to remove the infection source.

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    • The human urinary tract.
      By: 3drenderings
      The human urinary tract.
    • Urinary sepsis can be treated by intravenous antibiotics.
      By: wacharaphong
      Urinary sepsis can be treated by intravenous antibiotics.
    • IV fluids help to protect the vital organs and regulate blood pressure so that patients don’t go into shock.
      By: Yong Hian Lim
      IV fluids help to protect the vital organs and regulate blood pressure so that patients don’t go into shock.
    • Treatment for urinary sepsis could include renal dialysis to help the kidneys to filter toxins.
      By: Tyler Olson
      Treatment for urinary sepsis could include renal dialysis to help the kidneys to filter toxins.