Discover essential information about UTIs in individuals with urostomies, including symptoms, treatment options, and prevention strategies to support optimal urinary health.
What is a UTI?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is just that—an infection of the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Most UTIs occur in the bladder or the urethra. A urostomy diverts urine from the bladder, but the kidneys and ureters remain in place. Since a large part of the urinary tract is left in place, it is still possible for bacteria to invade and then develop a UTI. Left untreated, UTIs can lead to urosepsis.
What To Look Out For
How can you tell if you have a UTI? Pay attention to these symptoms. If you notice you’re developing any of them, see your healthcare provider.
- Cloudy urine
- Foul-smelling urine
- Fever and/or chills and sweating
- Low Back or flank pain (where your kidneys are located)
- Hematuria (blood in the urine)
- Nausea and or vomiting
How is it Treated?
Before beginning treatment, your doctor will likely ask you to provide a urine sample first. This sample can diagnose a UTI and determine the type of bacteria that grows by running a urine culture on it. This is key to prescribing the right antibiotic. However, the results of a urine culture can take a couple of days to come back, so your provider will start you on an antibiotic in the meantime.
How to Prevent UTIs
- Drink plenty of fluids. This usually means drinking 3.7L for men and 2.7L for women.
- Empty your urostomy pouch when it is one-third to half full.
- This reduces the chance of back-flow, which can bring bacteria from the stoma back into the urinary tract.
- If using a nighttime drainage system, thoroughly clean the bag.
- A clean bag reduces the chance of bacteria from the bag or container travelling up the urostomy.
- Cranberry juice may help prevent UTIs in women who suffer from reoccurring UTIs.
- Check with your healthcare provider if drinking cranberry juice is safe, as it can interact with certain medications.
Source
By Erika Kana, RN, Content Writer, Ostomy Canada Marketing Team.
Erika Kana is a Calgary-based Registered Nurse and health content writer. She has experience in geriatric and medical-surgical nursing and specializes in emergency nursing. Her diverse nursing experiences have sparked an interest in wound and ostomy nursing. Erika regularly seeks out ways to learn more about ostomy management and research.
2 Responses
Hello, Erika,
I wonder if you could answer a quick question. I’m an 86 year old retired RN. I have had a urinary diversion for over 20 years. I have stage 3b CKD. The results of the urine culture during utis, aleays shows the presence of dColi. I’m very careful with the care of my stoma, and yet there it is. How would eColi get into the closed system?
Thanks,
Mary Sigrist
Hi Mary,
Thank you for your question and for sharing your experience. Even with excellent stoma care, it is actually very common for urine cultures from urinary diversions to grow bacteria such as E. coli. Because a segment of bowel is used to create the diversion, bacteria that normally live in the intestine can colonize the urinary tract more easily than in people without a diversion. This does not necessarily mean you are doing anything wrong with your care.
E. coli can also be present without causing a true infection (colonization), which is why healthcare providers often look at symptoms as well as culture results before deciding on treatment.
Since you also have stage 3b CKD, it is especially important to stay connected with your healthcare team regarding any urinary symptoms, fevers, changes in urine appearance or output, flank pain, or confusion. They can help determine when bacteria represent a true UTI versus expected colonization.
Best Regards, Erika Kana