Condition Lookup

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Category: Genitourinary Tract Infections

Sub-category: Reproductive System Infections

Symptoms:
pelvic pain; abnormal vaginal discharge; pain during intercourse; fever; irregular menstrual bleeding

Root Cause:
Ascending bacterial infection of the upper reproductive tract, often caused by sexually transmitted pathogens such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, pelvic ultrasound, endometrial biopsy, testing for sexually transmitted infections.

Treatment:
Broad-spectrum antibiotics, removal of IUDs if implicated, hospitalization for severe cases.

Medications:
Ceftriaxone (a cephalosporin) combined with doxycycline (a tetracycline ) and metronidazole (an antiprotozoal agent) for comprehensive coverage.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 4% of women annually in developed countries, with higher rates in sexually active women under 25.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Multiple sexual partners, unprotected intercourse, prior STI, douching.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with early treatment, but delayed therapy can result in chronic pelvic pain, infertility, or ectopic pregnancy.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Tubo-ovarian abscess, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, peritonitis.

Catheter-Related Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: Genitourinary Tract Infections

Symptoms:
fever; chills; cloudy or foul-smelling urine; lower abdominal or back pain; burning sensation during urination (if catheter removed); frequent urination (if catheter removed)

Root Cause:
Bacterial infection caused by microorganisms entering the urinary tract through the catheter, often exacerbated by prolonged catheterization.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Urinalysis, urine culture to identify causative bacteria, clinical history, and symptoms.

Treatment:
Prompt catheter removal or replacement, antibiotics targeting the identified pathogen, hydration to flush out the urinary tract.

Medications:
Antibiotics such as fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin , levofloxacin ), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or beta-lactams (amoxicillin-clavulanate). These medications are classified as antimicrobials.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common among hospitalized patients or individuals requiring long-term catheterization, with an estimated prevalence of 5–10% per day of catheter use.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Prolonged catheter use, poor catheter hygiene, older age, immunosuppression, diabetes, female gender.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Typically resolves with appropriate treatment, but recurrent infections or severe cases can lead to complications such as sepsis.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Pyelonephritis, sepsis, multi-drug-resistant infections, bladder damage.

Cystitis Empiric Therapy

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: Genitourinary Tract Infections

Sub-category: Acute Cystitis

Symptoms:
frequent and painful urination; urgency to urinate; cloudy or blood-tinged urine; lower abdominal pain or discomfort; mild fever in some cases

Root Cause:
Bacterial infection (commonly Escherichia coli) causing inflammation of the bladder wall.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical symptoms, urinalysis for leukocytes and nitrites, and urine culture for definitive diagnosis.

Treatment:
Initiation of empirical antibiotics while awaiting culture results, hydration, and symptomatic management.

Medications:
Nitrofurantoin (urinary antiseptic), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (antibiotic combination), or fosfomycin (broad-spectrum antibiotic).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common, particularly in women; about 50–60% of women experience cystitis at least once in their lifetime.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Female gender, sexual activity, use of spermicides, postmenopausal status, diabetes, and catheter use.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with appropriate treatment; symptoms typically resolve within a few days of starting antibiotics.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Pyelonephritis, recurrent infections, and multi-drug resistance.

Pathophysiology of Complicated Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: Genitourinary Tract Infections

Symptoms:
frequent urination; painful urination (dysuria); fever; flank pain; hematuria; cloudy or foul-smelling urine; fatigue

Root Cause:
Structural or functional abnormalities of the urinary tract, immune compromise, or bacterial resistance leading to persistent or severe infection.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Urine culture, urinalysis, imaging studies (CT, ultrasound), blood tests for systemic infection markers.

Treatment:
Tailored antibiotic therapy based on culture results, addressing underlying abnormalities, hydration, and supportive care.

Medications:
Fluoroquinolones (e.g., ciprofloxacin ) or extended-spectrum cephalosporins (e.g., ceftriaxone ) are common; carbapenems (e.g., meropenem ) may be used for multidrug-resistant cases. These are classified as antibiotics.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Complicated UTIs represent approximately 20–30% of urinary tract infections, more common in hospitalized or immunocompromised patients.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Catheter use, kidney stones, diabetes, pregnancy, immune suppression, anatomical abnormalities.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good with appropriate treatment, but can lead to recurrent infections or systemic complications if untreated.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Pyelonephritis, sepsis, renal abscess, chronic kidney disease.

Perinephric Abscess

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: Genitourinary Tract Infections

Sub-category: Renal Infections

Symptoms:
flank pain; fever; chills; nausea and vomiting; weight loss

Root Cause:
Collection of pus around the kidney, often due to untreated pyelonephritis or hematogenous bacterial spread.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging studies (CT scan or ultrasound), blood cultures, urinalysis.

Treatment:
Drainage of the abscess via percutaneous or surgical methods, antibiotic therapy targeting causative organisms.

Medications:
Piperacillin-tazobactam (a beta-lactam antibiotic) or vancomycin combined with ceftriaxone to address resistant bacteria.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, accounting for less than 1% of urinary tract infections, often seen in immunocompromised individuals.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Diabetes, renal calculi, recent urinary tract surgery, immunosuppression.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with prompt drainage and antibiotic therapy; delayed treatment can lead to severe complications.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Sepsis, chronic renal impairment, rupture into adjacent structures.

Pyonephrosis

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: Genitourinary Tract Infections

Symptoms:
fever; flank pain; chills; nausea; vomiting; cloudy or foul-smelling urine

Root Cause:
Accumulation of pus in the renal collecting system, often caused by an obstructive uropathy combined with infection.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Ultrasound or CT imaging to detect hydronephrosis with echogenic debris; urine culture to identify infection; blood tests to check for systemic infection.

Treatment:
Drainage of pus through percutaneous nephrostomy or surgery; broad-spectrum antibiotics followed by culture-guided antibiotics.

Medications:
Broad-spectrum antibiotics such as piperacillin-tazobactam (beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor), carbapenems (e.g., meropenem ), or fluoroquinolones (e.g., ciprofloxacin ).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; more common in patients with urinary obstruction or immunocompromised states.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Kidney stones, urinary tract obstruction, diabetes, immunosuppression, prior urinary infections.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with timely drainage and appropriate antibiotics; untreated cases can lead to sepsis and renal failure.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Sepsis, renal abscess, permanent kidney damage, or renal failure.

Renal Corticomedullary Abscess

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: Genitourinary Tract Infections

Symptoms:
flank pain; fever; chills; malaise; dysuria; hematuria

Root Cause:
Localized bacterial infection leading to the formation of pus in the renal cortex or medulla.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Contrast-enhanced CT scan or ultrasound to identify abscess; blood and urine cultures to identify causative organisms.

Treatment:
Antibiotics targeting common pathogens (e.g., E. coli, Klebsiella) and percutaneous or surgical drainage if abscess size is significant (>5 cm).

Medications:
Antibiotics like ceftriaxone (cephalosporin), aminoglycosides (e.g., gentamicin ), or fluoroquinolones (e.g., levofloxacin ).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; more frequent in diabetic or immunocompromised individuals.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Diabetes, kidney stones, prior pyelonephritis, urinary obstruction, immunosuppression.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with appropriate treatment; untreated cases risk systemic infection or chronic kidney damage.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic abscess formation, sepsis, renal scarring, or spread of infection to adjacent organs.

Trigonitis

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: Genitourinary Tract Infections

Symptoms:
pelvic pain; frequent urination; burning sensation during urination; urgency; cloudy or bloody urine

Root Cause:
Chronic inflammation of the bladder trigone, often associated with repeated infections or irritation.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Cystoscopy to visualize inflammation or changes in the bladder trigone area; urinalysis to rule out active infection.

Treatment:
Addressing the underlying cause (e.g., infections or irritants), bladder instillations, and medications for symptom relief.

Medications:
Antibiotics for bacterial infection (e.g., nitrofurantoin ), anticholinergics (e.g., oxybutynin ) for overactive bladder symptoms, or local anesthetics (e.g., lidocaine instillations).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in individuals with recurrent urinary infections; more prevalent in women.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Recurrent UTIs, use of indwelling catheters, hormonal changes, bladder irritants (e.g., caffeine, spicy foods).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with management; chronic symptoms may persist if underlying causes are not addressed.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic pelvic pain, recurrent infections, reduced bladder capacity, or bladder wall thickening.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) and Cystitis (Bladder Infection) in Females

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: Genitourinary Tract Infections

Symptoms:
frequent urination; burning sensation during urination; urgency; lower abdominal pain; cloudy or foul-smelling urine

Root Cause:
Bacterial infection, commonly E. coli, ascending from the urethra to the bladder.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Urinalysis and urine culture to identify pathogens; dipstick test for leukocytes and nitrites.

Treatment:
Short courses of antibiotics; increased fluid intake and symptom management.

Medications:
First-line antibiotics include nitrofurantoin (antibiotic), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (antibiotic combination), or fosfomycin (antibiotic). Symptomatic relief with phenazopyridine (urinary analgesic).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Very common; affects approximately 50-60% of women at least once in their lifetime.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Sexual activity, use of spermicides, prior UTIs, menopause, diabetes, urinary retention.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with treatment; untreated cases may progress to pyelonephritis or sepsis.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrent UTIs, pyelonephritis, kidney damage in severe cases, or urosepsis.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in Males

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: Genitourinary Tract Infections

Symptoms:
frequent urination; burning sensation during urination; cloudy or strong-smelling urine; pelvic pain; fever; chills

Root Cause:
Bacterial infection of the urinary tract, typically caused by Escherichia coli or other gram-negative bacteria.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Urinalysis, urine culture, and physical examination. Imaging (e.g., ultrasound, CT scan) in recurrent or complicated cases.

Treatment:
Antibiotics specific to the organism causing the infection, increased hydration, and symptom management.

Medications:
Fluoroquinolones (e.g., ciprofloxacin , levofloxacin ) or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole; both are antibiotics targeting bacterial infections.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Less common in males compared to females; affects approximately 1-2% of males annually, higher in older men with prostate problems.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), kidney stones, catheter use, diabetes, and weakened immune system.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good with prompt treatment; may lead to complications if untreated.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Prostatitis, kidney infections (pyelonephritis), or sepsis in severe cases.

Urinary Tract Infection Organism-Specific Therapy

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: Genitourinary Tract Infections

Symptoms:
symptoms depend on specific organism but typically include urinary frequency; dysuria; urgency; fever

Root Cause:
UTIs caused by less common pathogens, including Proteus, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, or multi-drug-resistant bacteria.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Urine culture and sensitivity testing to identify the organism and determine antibiotic susceptibility.

Treatment:
Antibiotic therapy tailored to the identified organism.

Medications:
Antibiotics such as cephalosporins, carbapenems (e.g., meropenem ), or aminoglycosides (e.g., gentamicin ) depending on bacterial resistance.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; occurs in patients with prior antibiotic use, hospital-acquired infections, or immunocompromised conditions.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Prolonged catheterization, previous UTIs, antibiotic resistance.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Depends on the organism and timeliness of treatment; good with effective therapy.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic infections, abscess formation, or systemic infection (e.g., sepsis).

Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) in Diabetes Mellitus

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: Genitourinary Tract Infections

Symptoms:
frequent urination; painful urination; incomplete bladder emptying; fatigue; fever

Root Cause:
Hyperglycemia leading to immune dysfunction and increased bacterial colonization in the urinary tract.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Urinalysis, urine culture, blood glucose testing, and assessment for underlying complications.

Treatment:
Antibiotics targeting the causative organism, glycemic control, and preventive measures.

Medications:
Nitrofurantoin , trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or fluoroquinolones, depending on the organism and resistance.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
More frequent in diabetic patients, with an estimated 2-3x higher risk than the general population.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Poor glycemic control, recurrent UTIs, neuropathy affecting bladder emptying.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with early intervention and management of blood sugar levels.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Pyelonephritis, emphysematous cystitis, or urosepsis.

Urinary Tract Infections in Pregnancy

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: Genitourinary Tract Infections

Symptoms:
burning urination; pelvic discomfort; cloudy urine; fever in severe cases

Root Cause:
Hormonal and anatomical changes in pregnancy leading to urinary stasis and increased susceptibility to infections.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Routine urinalysis and urine culture during prenatal visits.

Treatment:
Safe antibiotics for pregnancy, hydration, and regular follow-up.

Medications:
Amoxicillin , cephalexin , or nitrofurantoin (avoided in the first trimester and near-term).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common; affects up to 10% of pregnant women.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Hormonal changes, anatomical changes, history of UTIs, diabetes.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Favorable with treatment; risk of preterm labor if untreated.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Pyelonephritis, preterm birth, or low birth weight.

Urinary Tract Infections in Spinal Cord Injury

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: Genitourinary Tract Infections

Symptoms:
fever; spasticity; cloudy urine; autonomic dysreflexia

Root Cause:
Neurogenic bladder and impaired voiding increase risk for bacterial growth.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Urine culture, assessment of bladder management methods (e.g., catheterization).

Treatment:
Antibiotics and optimization of bladder emptying strategies.

Medications:
Fluoroquinolones or aminoglycosides for resistant infections.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in spinal cord injury patients; prevalence ranges from 30-60%.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Indwelling catheters, incomplete bladder emptying.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Manageable; recurrence is common without preventive measures.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Kidney damage, recurrent infections, autonomic dysreflexia.