ASK DR ZOE
My mum recently died after a UTI and now my wife’s got one – could she have caught it from the loo seat?
Dr Zoe Williams helps a reader who is worried about a UTI
AS the cold weather takes hold, it creates the perfect breeding ground for viruses like flu, RSV and norovirus.
While in most cases we feel better after a week or so, for some they can be serious.
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NHS bosses fear the service is heading for a hard winter – October saw some of the highest A&E waits ever. But despite the strain on services, it is vital to know when to seek emergency care.
If you or a loved one has difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain, confusion, or a bluish face or lips, contact emergency services immediately. Early intervention can be life-saving.
Everyone, but particularly those with pre-existing conditions, can help by being vigilant and proactive.
Now is a vital time to keep washing your hands, and catching sneezes and coughs in tissues.
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Flu, covid and RSV jabs give extra protection during these months, so if you are eligible make sure you get yours now.
Here’s a selection of what readers have asked this week.
E. Coli left wife with a troublesome UTI
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Q) MY mother, who recently passed away, had developed encephalitis from a urinary infection. She would use our WC, which we obviously cleaned.
However, my wife caught a urinary infection, which was diagnosed as E.coli.
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It went away with medication but, ever since, she’s had urinary leakage, causing her to wear ladies’ absorption pants. She has to change them about every four hours. She is 65, and feels very uncomfortable.
She tried clinics, but they were useless, and cancelled. What can you suggest?
Food Standards Agency explains E Coli
A) Firstly, I am so sorry to hear about your mother passing away.
Regarding your wife’s situation, more than 80 per cent of UTIs are caused by E.coli, but it doesn’t have relevance to the toilet.
You cannot catch a UTI from the toilet.
If urinary incontinence is new following a UTI, and doesn’t resolve itself within a few weeks, then it really should be looked into further. The GP will want to ascertain if it is stress incontinence (leakage when coughing, jumping) or urge incontinence (an uncontrollable need to pee).
Tests may include urine and blood checks, and possibly an ultrasound to further assess the kidneys.
Visible blood in the urine that occurs in the absence of a UTI – or remains after a UTI has been treated – warrants an urgent referral to urology.
Depending on results of any investigations, there are lots of treatments that can really help in cases like your wife’s, ranging from pelvic physiotherapy, to medications and surgery.
So no one should suffer in silence with incontinence or accept it as a part of ageing.
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Q) I AM a stroke survivor aged 66 and for about a month have had a nagging pain in my lower right leg.
I can go hours without it and then, suddenly, there it is.
I feel it would be dramatic to think it may be a deep-vein thrombosis, or DVT.
It is hard to get a GP appointment, and I don’t want to worry if it’s not important.
A) You are correct, these symptoms are not typical of a deep-vein thrombosis. Classical symptoms of DVT include throbbing pain in one leg (usually in the calf or thigh, such as when walking or standing up), swelling, warmth or redness of the leg.
But I can’t reassure you that you do not have one, as sometimes people present with atypical symptoms.
Therefore, my advice to you is to seek medical attention – ideally first with your GP – so you can be thoroughly assessed.
Often practices reserve same-day appointment slots, so share your concern. However, some are struggling with the disparity between supply and demand – and this may not always be the case.
If you cannot get an appointment, then I would advise that you phone 111.
This way, you will be able to speak with a healthcare professional who can assess you and, if necessary, arrange a slot at A&E or even an appointment to have an ultrasound scan of the leg, which is the diagnostic investigation for DVT.
The fact that you have had a stroke indicates a higher risk of a different condition called peripheral arterial disease.
This is when there is atherosclerosis of the arteries that supply the lower leg and foot.
It can cause intermittent claudication – when people have pain while using the leg muscles, such as climbing up steps, but not at rest.
Either way, even if it is difficult to get an appointment with your GP, this does not mean you should hold back from seeking the medical care that you need and deserve.
Post-tumour, how do I help immune system?
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Q) HOW do I help my immune system to protect me from infections and viruses? I am 59 and six months ago I had a nephrectomy and emergency splenectomy due to a tumour.
I have to take daily penicillin. I am up to date with the Covid and flu vaccines.
A) Following a splenectomy, which is an operation to remove the spleen, it is important to take measures to give yourself extra protection against infection because the spleen plays a role in fighting any invading germs that are in the blood.
In addition to taking a low dose of penicillin each day, it is extremely important to be up-to-date with all immunisations, not just against seasonal bugs but bacterial infections that can cause pneumonia and meningitis.
It’s also very important to consider any immunisations you may need if you are travelling to certain countries.
Things you can do yourself to support your immune system include consuming a healthy, balanced diet with a wide variety of colourful fruits and vegetables.
Plants contain different types of nutrients, so variety and “eating the rainbow” is important.
Including at least two portions of fish a week provides omega-3 fats, which support a healthy immune system, and good iron sources are crucial too. A vitamin D supplement is also advised as we struggle to make enough of this vitamin from sunshine in the UK, especially in winter, and it plays a crucial role in immunity.
As for other supplements, they are sometimes helpful if people struggle to have a varied and balanced diet – for example, vegetarians or vegans.
Moving your body regularly also helps the immune system function, as does getting sufficient and regular sleep.
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It’s also important to take measures to manage stress because high levels can be detrimental to the immune system’s function.
Also avoid smoking and keep any alcohol intake within healthy limits.
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