Genitourinary Infections - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Genitourinary Infections Definition

Genitourinary is relating to the genital and urinary organs or their functions. Genitourinary is the parts of the body that play a role in reproduction, getting rid of waste products in the form of urine, or both. Trauma of the genitourinary system is defined as injury resulting from physical force, either accidental or inflicted, to organs such as the kidney, ureter, bladder, urethra, internal reproductive organs or external genitalia.

They are more widespread than gonorrhea and may be the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. The prognosis is good if sexual partners are treated simultaneously.

Genitourinary Infections Causes

Nonspecific genitourinary infections are spread primarily through sexual intercourse. Incidents involving a motor vehicle(s) are the most common cause of genitourinary system injury, and are responsible for one-half to two-thirds of all genitourinary system injuries. Other causes such as sport related incidents and assaults account for the balance of genitourinary system injuries. In children, problems of the urinary system include acute and chronic kidney failure, urinary tract infections, obstructions along the urinary tract, and abnormalities present at birth.

Although less is known about nonspecific genitourinary infections in females, in women, genital infections may cause a vaginal discharge, mucosal ulceration producing local discomfort and pain on intercourse, or pelvic inflammatory disease. A thin vaginal epithelium may predispose prepubertal and post­menopausal females to nonspecific vaginitis.

Genitourinary Infections Symptoms

Nongonococcal urethritis occurs in between 1 week to 1 month after coitus, with scant or moderate mucopurulent urethral discharge, variable dysuria, and occasional hematuria. Patients with fibromyalgia have a higher than normal incidence of painful menstruation, as well as urinary frequency and urgency.

The symptoms of the genitourinary may be included:

• fever
• shock
• nausea
• vomiting
• internal bleeding
• evidence of physical injury
• Blood in the urine
• severe pain in the flank
• severe pain in lower back
• swelling of the abdomen

Genitourinary Infections Treatments

Nephrology is the branch of medicine concerned with the kidney.

Surgery is the most common treatment for the majority of urologic cancers.

For females, treatment may also include application of a sulfa vaginal cream.

Therapy for both sexes consists of a single l-g oral dose of azithromyein (Zithromax) or doxycycline 100 mg orally twice a day for 7 days.

Education to modify sexual behavior and use of condoms are essential. Effective drug therapies exist for all bacterial genital infections and for herpes simplex.