The potentially life-threatening infection that's rife in summer revealed – and 7 signs you must never ignore
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A PHARMACIST has warned hot weather could put women at higher at risk of a painful and potentially life-threatening condition.
Urinary tract infections - known as UTIs - tend to soar in the summer, as warmer temperatures provide the "perfect climate" for bacteria to thrive.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
2
Hot weather can help harmful bacteria thrive, upping the risk of UTIs
Credit: Getty
UTIs are caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract and affecting the urethra or bladder.
They're easily dealt with with rest, painkillers and antibiotics, but left untreated the infections can rapidly progress into deadly sepsis.
Wendy Lee, lead pharmacist at Well Pharmacy, warned: 'While UTIs are entirely treatable, if left undiagnosed, they can worsen quickly, leading to blood poisoning, known as sepsis, which can be fatal.
'If you suspect you might have a UTI, you must seek treatment immediately.'
The infections most commonly affect women - it's estimated that over half of all women in the UK will have at least one UTI in their lifetime.
Men can get them too, though it's less common.
'UTIs can be caused by dehydration, which women are at greater risk of developing during the summer months," Wendy said.
'People tend to sweat more in hot weather and not drinking enough fluids could lead to lower urine production and a build-up of germs.
'The warmer weather provides the perfect climate for bacterial growth, which can then enter the urethra and cause infection.'
Untreated UTIs, which start in the urethra or bladder, can travel upwards to the kidneys.
The signs and symptoms of sepsis to look out for, according to The UK Sepsis Trust
This can cause a kidney infection - known as pyelonephritis - which can lead to scarring, chronic kidney disease or sepsis.
People over 65 are the most vulnerable to these secondary infections and should keep an eye out for UTI symptoms.
NHS stats show that more than 1.8m Brits were admitted to hospital due to UTIs between 2018 and 2023.
In 2022/23, 56 per cent of the 147,285 admissions were for people over 65.
UTI symptoms you should never ignore
Wendy flagged common symptoms of the infection to watch out for this summer:
Pain or a burning feeling when urinating Needing to pee more frequently than usual Cloudy urine Blood in your pee Back pain or stomach pain Fever (high temperature) Chills and shivering, known as rigors
The pharmacist warned: 'Any of these symptoms may indicate a more serious infection.
Under the NHS Pharmacy First scheme, you can get UTI symptoms checked out by a pharmacist without needing to wait for a GP appointment.
The scheme allows pharmacists to provide advice, treatment, and prescription medicines for seven common health conditions, which include UTIs in women.
How to avoid UTIs this summer
Wendy Lee, lead pharmacist at Well Pharmacy, shared her DOs and DON'Ts for avoiding UTIs this summer: DO maintain good personal hygiene - always keep the genital area clean, pat dry gently and wipe from your vagina towards your anus (front to back) when you use the toilet. Avoid holding urine for long periods and always go when you feel the urge.
DO drink water or other fluids regularly, so you regularly pass urine and stay hydrated.
DO wash your vagina before and after intercourse, and if able, urinate soon after sex
DON'T use vaginal douches, scented intimate wipes, bubble baths, or heavily fragranced products. These can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria and irritate the urinary tract.
DO choose cotton underwear and avoid tight-fitting trousers or synthetic fabrics that trap moisture, which can promote bacterial growth.
DON'T rush when urinating, and make sure you empty your bladder fully
DO limit alcohol and sugary drinks as this can be an irritant
Wendy described what you can expect when visiting a pharmacy for a UTI.
'Following consultation, your pharmacist will advise on the most effective painkillers to treat your needs," she said.
"They can also supply antibiotics, if required, as well as determine whether there is a need to have a follow-up appointment with a GP."
There are also things you can do at home to treat UTI symptoms.
'If you suspect you have a UTI there are things you can do to ease the symptoms, like taking paracetamol up to four times a day to reduce the pain and high temperature," Wendy said.
'Try to take it easy, take frequent naps and drink lots of water because this will help dilute your urine, and in turn flush out the bacteria from your urinary tract.
'If you are perimenopausal or postmenopausal and experience recurrent UTIs, your pharmacist may advise speaking to your GP about oestrogen-based treatments such as vaginal creams, tablets or using a ring.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Cosmetic cowboys face ban amid crackdown on dodgy fillers & bad Botox in Scotland
The Scottish Government has revealed new proposals to crack down on risky cosmetic surgery procedures HAD THEIR FILL Cosmetic cowboys face ban amid crackdown on dodgy fillers & bad Botox in Scotland Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) COSMETIC cowboys who are flooding Scotland's streets with dodgy fillers and bad Botox are facing a ban. In recent months there have been a raft of horror stories about botched treatments and poorly trained practitioners ghosting clients after procedures have gone wrong. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The Scottish Government has introduced new proposals to stop unregulated procedures Credit: Getty And Scotland was branded the worst place in Europe for dodgy lip fillers and Botox. But now the Scottish Government has revealed new proposals to crack down on risky cosmetic surgery procedures. It aims to stop botched procedures and shut down backstreet surgeries that have left a number of patients with life changing injuries. As the sector is not currently fully regulated, anybody can carry out the procedures without formal training. However, under the proposed legislation, fillers and the use of Botox will have to be supervised by a qualified healthcare professional. While, "breast and buttock augmentations" must be carried out by a qualified professional. Microneedling and cosmetic laser treatments will require both a premises licence and individual practitioner licences issued by local authorities. Medical professionals have welcomed the move but have also warned that the new rules might still allow unqualified people to carry out less dangerous procedures. Dr Ben Taylor-Davies, who runs the Stockbridge Clinic in Edinburgh, told the Daily Record: "Whilst I firmly believe injectable treatments such as Botox and dermal fillers should only ever be carried out by a registered medical professional, the Scottish Government's proposals are a big step in the right direction for patient safety in Scotland. "For too long the public has been at unacceptable levels of risk. People have come to significant harm due to the lack of regulation. I'm Olivia Attwood's beautician here's why you should avoid 'preventative Botox' "Now we need to make sure this is implemented across Scotland and that the necessary legal powers exist to protect the public from unnecessary harm. "Hopefully this is just the start of a wider theme of tighter regulation that will ultimately protect public safety." The Scottish Government proposals also intends to introduce a minimum age of 18 for all procedures. The changes will bring Scotland into line with England - where the UK Government made it an offence for an unregulated person to give Botox or filler to under-18s in 2021. Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: "It is deeply upsetting to hear of cases where people have suffered as a result of non-surgical cosmetic procedures going wrong. "The current gaps in regulation mean that anyone can perform most of these procedures without the need for any formal training or qualifications. Steps before treatment THE T.I.M.E initiative, a consumer safety scheme supported by MPs, influential bodies and key industry figures, to ensure consumers get the best possible experience and better protect themselves. Their checklist for customers to ask practioners aims to help people know what to be aware of when booking in for treatments: TRAINING – What qualifications and training, including continual professional development (CPD) do you and all your staff have? INSURANCE – Are you insured and, if so, who by? MONITORING – Do you carry out important pre and post appointment processes such as patch tests, consultations and aftercare? EVIDENCE – Is there certified proof of training, insurance and any client testimonials? "These proposals reflect our determination to protect the public and ensure high standards across this growing industry. "I am particularly heartened by the broad support for action to make the sector safer, and we will continue to work closely with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, local authorities, and the wider industry to support a smooth and effective implementation." Last year Kathryn Tumulcha, from Dalkeith, spoke out after a Botox jab left her looking like she'd had a stroke after going to a 'cheap practitioner'. While, Renata Wojno, from East Kilbride, blamed herself after being left with lumps on her face from a cosmetic injectable after finding a woman on Facebook who did the jabs from her home. Katie Price's beautician was banned from operating in Glasgow after a woman's Brazilian bum lift procedure resulted in a 999 dash. The company carried out the BBL in a hotel function room at a Holiday Inn in the city centre in March, which left the 49-year-old in agony.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Mini Milk ice lollies are urgently recalled by major UK supermarkets over ‘health risk' as shoppers warned ‘do NOT eat'
The treat may pose a deadly risk to consumers RECALL ALERT Mini Milk ice lollies are urgently recalled by major UK supermarkets over 'health risk' as shoppers warned 'do NOT eat' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A POPULAR sweet treat has been urgently recalled from shelves over fears it could pose a life-threatening risk to customers. Unilever has pulled their summer product from major UK supermarkets after a labelling error. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Wall's Mini Milk Vanilla, Strawberry & Chocolate Ice Cream Lollies have been recalled from supermarket shelves over allergy risk Shoppers have been warned not to eat Wall's Mini Milk Vanilla Strawberry & Chocolate Ice Cream Lollies. The ice cream contains milk and may have pistachios, peanuts and soya which could endanger allergy sufferers. The Food Standards Agency confirmed that labels on certain 10x35ml packs display ingredients in Spanish rather than English. It means customers with an allergy or intolerance to milk, soya or nuts could miss the important allergen information. Supermarkets have put out point of sale notice which explains why the product has been recalled. Affected products show a use by date up to May 2027 which can be found on the side of the box. Consumers with allergies have been asked to contact Unilever for more guidance and refund. A national alert was also issued by the FSA, who advised Brits to avoid the product. Unilever has apologised to the customers and added that no other Wall's products have been affected. The statement read: " We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your co-operation." Allergy alert for chocolate cupcakes Exposure to traces of peanuts can prove fatal for those who suffer with the allergy. It comes as a mum issued a stark warning after her allergic 20-year-old daughter died after eating a few mouthfuls of a ready meal. Jess North, who had a severe peanut allergy, tragically died from an anaphylactic reaction on May 9, 2021. Devastated Mum Maxine, from Aldingbourne, West Sussex, told how her daughter had only consumed "a couple of mouthfuls". The brave mum has since been on a mission to raise awareness over severe allergies - and in particular the lack of up to date epipens.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
ITV This Morning doctor says do this to cope with UK heatwave
Dr Raj Arora, a GP known for her TV appearances, issued advice for people living in the UK Brits are bracing themselves for another heatwave, with temperatures in the mid-30s expected for parts of the UK over the coming days. While many welcome the warm weather, it's essential that people take care in the heat. The NHS says: "When it's too hot, there are health risks. During heatwaves, more people than usual get seriously ill or die. If hot weather hits this summer, make sure it does not harm you or anyone you know." Keen to help, Dr Raj Arora, an NHS GP known for her appearances on ITV's This Morning, has shared a guide for staying safe. Posting on Instagram, she shared a post captioned: "Here are my top 5 tips to cope with a heatwave from a GP." In her caption, she also emphasised that "it's super important to maintain your safety." In her video, Dr Raj explained: "Number one sounds boring, but very relevant, keep hydrated. So keep your fluid levels up because as you sweat you are losing more fluid and not only does this put you at risk of lower blood pressure and therefore dizziness, but it also can exacerbate your risk of urinary tract infections and if you already have things like chronic kidney issues this can exacerbate those as well, so really important to keep yourself hydrated. "Also, try to reduce those drinks that are going to dehydrate you, so try and cut down on your alcohol, cut down on your caffeine, and up those refreshing drinks throughout the day." Next, the doctor explained how to keep your home or work environment cool. "Keep the windows closed, keep the curtains drawn so that there's less heat getting into the building," she advised. "Also, ensure that if you have an AC or a fan, you're using it and that it's helping to circulate cooler air where possible." Dr Raj explained that these steps are 'really important' to help keep your body temperature cool and keep you comfortable throughout the day. She continued: "Number three: dress smart, wear light, breathable fabrics like linen, cotton; wear lighter colours as well so you're not absorbing as much heat. "Really important to wear loose-fitting clothes as well, so you're not getting too hot and bothered in your clothing." As the GP pointed out, the UK's weather is often changeable. She suggested wearing layers for ease, and she recommended wearing a hat and sunglasses to provide shade and protect your skin. For her fourth tip, Dr Raj said: "Don't exert yourself as much as you normally would in the hot weather, so reduce your exercise and, if you are outdoors, seek shade." She explained that otherwise, you could be putting yourself at risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Instead, she recommended timing your workout so you're not outside during the peak sunshine hours, from 11am to 3pm. Dr Raj concluded: "Number five: check on those around you." She said to check on vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, babies, and pets. This could involve checking they're not wearing too many layers, ensuring their environment is cool, and knowing the symptoms of heat exhaustion." She explained: "This is where you can have some dizziness, you might feel sick, you might feel like you have a headache, more tired, cramping in the body and the muscles, you might feel thirsty you might feel weak, you might also have a faster heart rate and a faster breathing rate as well. "If you're feeling these symptoms, you might have heat exhaustion, so it's really important that you take a step back, take some time to cool down, to have some fluids, to see if you can bring your body temperature down, if you can feel a bit better. Normally, the window is 30 minutes, so after 30 minutes of feeling no better, you must see a doctor and most people at this point might be going into heat stroke, so it's important actually to be seen urgently and to call 999." The GP warned: "Heat stroke is a medical emergency, and this is where you might have a persistent high heart rate, a persistent high breathing rate, you might have loss of consciousness, you might have confusion, some people might even have a seizure or a fit and a really high body temperature. If you have these symptoms, it's important that you call 999."
