Urinary Tract Infections, Are They Common During Vacation?

Recently, office worker A, who returned from a vacation in Southeast Asia, began to feel a burning sensation and notice an unusual odor every time they urinated. Feeling uncomfortable, A visited a nearby urology clinic and was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (UTI). A was quite surprised to learn that various activities during the vacation led to the infection.

Painful urination, lower abdominal pain. [Image source=ClipartKorea]

During the holiday, A spent long hours swimming in a public pool used by many people, and wore a wet swimsuit for most of the vacation. The combination of a hot and humid environment and the wet swimsuit clinging to the skin created ideal conditions for bacteria to multiply, making it easy for an infection to occur through the urinary tract.

While it is difficult to pinpoint a single direct cause of the UTI, A was told that other risk factors?such as insufficient fluid intake, disrupted sleep and eating patterns, and the use of unfamiliar hygiene products?could also have contributed to the infection.

Urine, a waste product of the body's metabolism, is produced in the kidneys, stored in the bladder via the ureters, and then expelled through the urethra. A urinary tract infection occurs when any part of this urinary system becomes infected.

Most commonly, bacteria from the intestines travel up the urinary tract, causing cystitis (lower urinary tract infection). If the bacteria reach the kidneys via the ureters, it can lead to pyelonephritis (upper urinary tract infection).

Symptoms include frequent urination, urgency, blood in the urine, painful urination, and lower abdominal pain. Upper urinary tract infections may also present with systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, and nausea. Diagnosis is made based on the patient's symptoms and a urinalysis, followed by appropriate medication.

Seo Young-eun, a urology specialist at Daedong Hospital, said, "In addition to swimming, the incidence of urinary tract infections is higher in the hot and humid summer months compared to other seasons. This is because increased sweating can easily lead to dehydration, resulting in concentrated urine that provides a favorable environment for bacterial growth." She added, "Although changes in urine odor are often temporary, if the odor persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, treatment may be necessary. In such cases, you should visit a hospital and receive a diagnosis from a urology specialist."

To prevent urinary tract infections in the summer, it is recommended to drink at least eight glasses of water a day and avoid holding in urine when you feel the urge to urinate. After urinating, wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from entering the urethra, and practice thorough hand hygiene.

It is better to wear breathable underwear and clothing rather than tight-fitting garments, and to boost immunity through a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Before using a swimming pool, always shower first, drink water regularly during breaks, and visit the restroom frequently. After swimming, change out of wet swimsuits as soon as possible.