Genitourinary systems

• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

  • Infections of the urogenital tract are caused mostly by E. coli. Other but rarer causes of UTI include Lactobacillus and Mycobacterium smegmatis.
  • Examples of UTIs include urethritis (urethra), cystitis(bladder), and nephritis (kidney).
  • Symptoms/signs: urge to urinate often, burning sensation during urination, cloudy or off-color urine, strong urine smell, pain in the pelvic region
  • UTIs are more common in women than men.
• Glomerulonephritis

  • Inflammation of the glomerulus in the kidney
  • Typically, it occurs after a streptococcus pyogenes infection, which is believed to lead to an immune complex hypersensitivity.
  • Damages to the glomerulus cause RBC and protein to leak out of the glomerulus, resulting in protein and blood in the urine (proteinuria and hematuria)
  • Signs and symptoms: pink or cola-colored urine(from RBC), foamy urine, hypertension, and edema on hands, feet, abdomen, and face.
  • FYI, lupus, viral infections, and endocarditis can also lead to glomerulonephritis.
• Leptospirosis (Weil’s disease)

  • Infection of Leptospira spirochete in the kidney, but relatively rare disease
  • Signs/Symptoms vary from asymptomatic to flu-like.
  • If untreated, can lead to kidney and other organ damage in some people
  • Transmitted via contaminated water and via infected animals(pets).
• Vaginitis_

  • Inflammation of the vaginal canal.
  • This can be caused by:
  • Bacteria called Gardneralla
  • Protozoan(single-cell eukaryotic organism) called Trichomonas
  • Yeast called Candida
  • Occurs when normal conditions of the vagina have been changed (i.e. pH change from 4.2 to higher due to contraceptives, diabetes, or pregnancy) - low acidity allows the microbe to colonize the vaginal canal - causing diseases
• Trichomoniasis

  • Caused by T.vaginalis which multiplies in the vagina when pH is around 5.5~6.0 (normal is 4.2)
  • It is transmitted usually via sexual contact but can occur via toilet seas and beddings.
  • Symptoms/signs: redness, intense itching, and a large amount of discharge(방출) with an unusual putrid(부패하는) smell
  • Infected men are usually asymptomatic(무증상).
• Bacterial Vaginitis

  • Many women are asymptomatic, but symptoms include thin, white/grey/green watery discharge, a fishy smell(normally, the vagina doesn’t have a fishy smell), and a burning sensation during urination.
  • Some vaginal itchiness but not typical
• Yeast Vaginitis

  • Symptoms include intense itchiness and redness, thick, cream, cottage cheese discharge with a musty odor.
• Toxic Shock syndrome

  • Due to toxic strains of S.aureus that enter a cut site (i.e. vaginal area)
  • Signs/Symptoms: sudden high fever, hypotension, vomiting, muscle ache, and “sunburn” red rash. If untreated, death is about 3%.
  • Women are more at risk due to the use of tampons. Why?
• Gonorrhea

  • Caused by Neisseria gonorrheae
  • Most women are asymptomatic Symptoms/Signs usually observed in men and include:
  • painful urination with discharge of greenish (pus), reddish (blood)
  • Painful/swollen testicles
  • Typically doesn’t kill a person.
  • Can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease(PID), reduce fertility due to low sperm count, ectopic pregnancy in women, and epididymitis in men
• Syphilis

  • Caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum
  • Transmission via sexual contact, saliva, or placental
  • There are 4 Stages of Syphilis: Primary, Secondary, Latent, Tertiary
  • If you catch syphilis, it is important to get treated immediately, unless it gets worse, and move on to the next stages.
• Primary Syphilis

  • General malaise and the presence of chancre(hard painless pimple) at the sight of infection. The chancre ruptures and goes away after 3~4 weeks. If untreated, can lead to secondary syphilis.
  • They might be okay
• Secondary Syphilis

  • Presence of non-itchy rashes that can erupt(pustules)
  • Rash can be accompanied by flu-like symptoms and general malaise
• Latent Syphilis

  No outward sign of infection, which can be months to years after secondary syphilis
• Tertiary Syphilis

  Development of gumma(granuloma-ulcer), ulcers that can be fatal if occurs in the brain, liver, heart an other vital organs.
• Congenital Syphilis

  A baby born with congenital syphilis will have the following problems.

  • Hutchinson’s teeth or incisors
  • Saber shin (sharp shin bone)
  • Perforated palate
  • Aged face with saddle nose
  • Developmental problems and possibly death
• Chancroid

  • Caused by Hemophilus ducrey and causes painful sores/lesions that bleed easily and may lead to buboes (swollen lymph nodes)
  • Incidence is low in most western countries, but high in developing countries, and is associated with sex workers and increases the risk for HIV infection.
• Chlamydia trachomatis

  • The most common STD’s in the US
  • Most infected individuals are asymptomatic, but painful urination, unusual discharge, and PID have been observed.
  • Untreated infections can lead to UTIs, reduced fertility, ectopic pregnancy, and conjunctivitis in newborns.
• HSV-1_oral herpes

  • Generally causes oral, throat, eye, and CNS infections
  • Symptoms are mild in healthy individuals but can lead to “fever blister” or cold sores
• HSV-2_genital herpes

  • Generally causes genital infections, which results in a painful blister and malaise in healthy people

  Both forms of herpes are non-serious in healthy individuals but are problematic for immunocompromised and newborns.
• Neonatal Herpes

  Babies who contract herpes during birth can get it in 3 forms:

  • SEM (skin, eye mouth)
  • DIS(Disseminated(퍼뜨리다) ex.liver)
  • CNS (central nervous system)

  Neonatal herpes can cause cerebral palsy, seizures, lethargy, developmental impairment, and death.