Urinary tract infection vaccination

In their lifetime, 53% of women will suffer from a urinary tract infection (UTI), a common ailment where a part (any part, really) of the urinary system (composed of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra) can become infected. With such a high number of women at risk for this uncomfortable infection, scientists have been working hard on a vaccination. Just recently, and so very thankfully, a positive study (using mice) has been released.

"The researchers screened more than 5,000 bacterial proteins and identified three strong candidates to use in a vaccine to fight Escherichia coli, the cause of most uncomplicated urinary tract infections.

The new vaccine, administered in the nose, alerts the immune system to iron receptors on the surface of bacteria that play a major role in the spread of urinary tract infection. When tested in mice, the vaccine prevented infection and produced key types of immunity."

Ever had a urinary tract infection? Do you know the signs or symptoms?

You should see your doctor if you have any of these signs or symptoms:

burning feeling when you urinate
frequent or intense urges to urinate, even when you have little urine to pass
pain in your back or lower abdomen
cloudy, dark, bloody, or unusual-smelling urine
fever or chills

Urinary tract infections are easy to treat (antibiotics) and a simple doctor's visit and urine sample can take care of those symptoms!