Urinary tract infection and inflammation
Illustration of the kidneys, adrenal glands with vessels (branches of abdominal aorta and branches to the inferior vena cava) and the bladder (including the prostata --> male). The right kidney is opened up, showing the renal papilla, cortex, medulla, pelvis and the ureter of the urinary tract. Generally: An infection of the urinary tract is caused by pathogenic germs. Due to their significantly shorter urethra, women are affected way more often than men. Urinary tract infections are the most common nosocomial infections. They typically have an ascending process. The germs (usually bacteries) end up in the external urethral orifice due to a smear infection and ascend through the urethra into the bladder, where they cause a cystitis. In extreme cases, this infection can cause a sepsis. The pathogenic bacteries spread out via blood and lymph and thus cause sepsis. The germs can originate from the body`s own intestinal flora or from the partner during intercourse. The intrusion of the germs can be facilitated by insufficient intimate hygiene.
