Urinary tract infection in the Kenntnisprüfung

How does a urinary tract infection often present in older people?

• Reliably with burning on urination and fever above 38.5 °C — otherwise it is not a UTI
• Often through acute confusion, weakness or falls — classic symptoms may be absent
• Mainly through one-sided flank pain, because in old age the infection quickly spreads to the kidney
• Usually through markedly increased urine volumes and severe thirst, similar to hyperglycaemia

Explanation: The geriatric UTI is a classic cause of confusion: delirium, a fall or a deterioration in general condition can be the only signs. With an acute change in personality, always think of a UTI too.

Why do you wipe from front to back during intimate hygiene?

• So that skin flakes and secretions do not get into the vagina and cause fungal infections there
• Because this irritates the mucous membrane less and prevents the skin from becoming sore
• So as not to carry intestinal germs (especially E. coli) from the anal region to the urethra
• Relevant for women; for men the wiping direction does not matter for UTI prevention

Explanation: E. coli from the anal region is the most common UTI pathogen. Wiping away from the urethra is the simplest effective prevention — especially in women (short urethra).