Urinary tract infection : A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection of the urinary tract. The infection can occur at different points in the urinary tract including: • Bladder -- an infection in the bladder is also called cystitis or a bladder infection. • Kidneys -- an infection of one or both kidneys is called pyelonephritis or a kidney infection. • Ureters -- the tubes that take urine from each kidney to the bladder are only rarely the site of infection. • Urethra -- an infection of the tube that empties urine from the bladder to the outside is called urethritis. Causes Most urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria that enter the urethra and then the bladder. The infection most commonly develops in the bladder, but can spread to the kidneys. Women tend to get them more often because their urethra is shorter and closer to the anus than in men. Because of this, women are more likely to get an infection after sexual activity or when using a diaphragm for birth control. Menopause also increases the risk of a UTI. The following also increase your chances of developing a UTI: • Diabetes • Advanced age and conditions that affect personal care habits (such as Alzheimer's disease and delirium) • Problems emptying the bladder completely • Having a urinary catheter • Bowel incontinence • Enlarged prostate, narrowed urethra, or anything that blocks the flow of urine • Kidney stones • Staying still (immobile) for a long period of time (for example, while you are recovering from a hip fracture) • Pregnancy • Surgery or other procedure involving the urinary tract Symptoms The symptoms of a bladder infection include: • Cloudy or bloody urine, which may have a foul or strong odor • Low fever in some people • Pain or burning with urination • Pressure or cramping in the lower abdomen or back • Strong need to urinate often, even right after the bladder has been emptied If the infection spreads to your kidneys, symptoms may include: • Chills and shaking or night sweats • Fatigue and a general ill feeling • Fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit • Pain in the side, back, or groin • Flushed, warm, or reddened skin • Mental changes or confusion (in the elderly, these symptoms often are the only signs of a UTI) • Nausea and vomiting • Very bad abdominal pain (sometimes) Treatment • A simple UTI can be treated with a short course of oral antibiotics. You should also remember to drink plenty of liquids, especially around the time of a UTI. • If the UTI is a complicated UTI, then a longer period of antibiotics is given and usually is started intravenously in the hospital. After a short period of intravenous antibiotics, then the antibiotics are given by mouth for a period up to several weeks. Kidney infections have usually been treated as a complicated UTI.


Tonsillitis : Tonsillitis is inflammation (swelling) of the tonsils. Tonsillitis is inflammation (swelling) of the tonsils most commonly caused by viral or bacterial infection. Symptoms may include sore throat and fever. When caused by a bacterium belonging to the group A streptococcus, it is typically referred to as strep throat. The overwhelming majority of people recover completely, with or without medication. In 40%, symptoms will resolve in three days, and within one week in 85% of people, regardless of whether streptococcal infection is present or not. Causes The tonsils are lymph nodes in the back of the mouth and top of the throat. They normally help to filter out bacteria and other germs to prevent infection in the body. A bacterial or viral infection can cause tonsillitis. Strep throat is a common cause. The infection may also be seen in other parts of the throat. One such infection is called pharyngitis. Tonsillitis is very common, especially in children. Symptoms • Difficulty swallowing • Ear pain • Fever, chills • Headache • Sore throat - lasts longer than 48 hours and may be severe • Tenderness of the jaw and throat Treatment Treatments to reduce the discomfort from tonsillitis symptoms include: • pain relief, anti-inflammatory, fever reducing medications (paracetamol/acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen) • sore throat relief (warm salt water gargle, lozenges, dissolved aspirin gargle (aspirin is an anti inflammatory, do not take any other anti inflammatory drugs with this method), and iced/cold liquids) If the tonsillitis is caused by group A streptococcus, then antibiotics are useful with penicillin or amoxicillin being primary choices. Cephalosporins and macrolides are considered good alternatives to penicillin in the acute setting. A macrolide such as erythromycin is used for people allergic to penicillin. Individuals who fail penicillin therapy may respond to treatment effective against beta-lactamase producing bacteria such as clindamycin or amoxicillin-clavulanate. Aerobic and anaerobic beta lactamase producing bacteria that reside in the tonsillar tissues can "shield" group A streptococcus from penicillins. When tonsillitis is caused by a virus, the length of illness depends on which virus is involved. Usually, a complete recovery is made within one week; however, symptoms may last for up to two weeks. Chronic cases may be treated with tonsillectomy (surgical removal of tonsils) as a choice for treatment. The following tips may help your throat feel better: • Drink cold liquids or suck on popsicles • Drink fluids, especially warm (not hot), bland fluids • Gargle with warm salt water • Suck on lozenges (containing benzocaine or similar ingredients) to reduce pain (these should not be used in young children because of the choking risk) • Take over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen to reduce pain and fever. Do NOT give a child aspirin. Aspirin has been linked to Reye syndrome. Some people who have repeated infections may need surgery to remove the tonsils (tonsillectomy)


Pharyngitis : Pharyngitis is defined as an infection or irritation of the pharynx or tonsils. The etiology is usually infectious, with most cases being of viral origin and most bacterial cases attributable to group A streptococci (GAS). Other causes include allergy, trauma, toxins, and neoplasia. GAS pharyngitis is usually a self-limited disease, and most signs and symptoms resolve spontaneously in 3-4 days. If administered early, antibiotics can shorten the duration of the illness by up to 1 day, but the main reason they are given is for prevention of acute rheumatic fever. Empiric antimicrobial therapy must be comprehensive and should cover all likely pathogens in the context of the clinical setting. Antibiotics are indicated for clinically suspected and culture or antigen-verified GAS infection. Common antibiotics for pharyngitis include amoxicillin,cephelexin, azithromycin,erythromycin, ceftriaxone etc. Steroids (such as dexamethasone) have been found to be useful for severe pharyngitis. Analgesics such as NSAIDs and acetaminophen can help reduce the pain associated with a sore throat.