quitting her corporate job <\/a>and starting her own business, K Juliet. <\/p>\nThe dangerous misconception<\/p>\n
The term \u2018UTI\u2019 is used so casually that many assume it is a singular, benign condition.<\/p>\n
According to specialist urologist Dr Muhammad Khalid, this is the first misunderstanding that puts people at risk.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2018UTI\u2019 is an umbrella term, and in most cases, it means cystitis \u2014 an infection of the bladder itself,\u201d Dr Khalid explained to news.com.au. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe danger isn\u2019t a UTI spreading to the bladder; it\u2019s the infection climbing up from the bladder to the kidney.\u201d<\/p>\n
When that bacteria travels up from the bladder into the kidneys, it results in pyelonephritis \u2014 a completely different level of illness. <\/p>\n
While cystitis might cause burning and urgency, pyelonephritis is the difference between an annoying inconvenience and an ambulance ride.<\/p>\n
Why it happens and why it escalates<\/p>\n
Australian GP Dr Leanne Girgis said that the medical reality is that most UTIs remain confined to the bladder and clear up with a short course of antibiotics.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe overwhelming majority of bladder infections stay in the bladder and are easily treated when recognised early,\u201d Dr Girgis told news.com.au.<\/p>\n
However, the risk shifts when infection is left untreated. <\/p>\n
Bacteria \u2014 most commonly E. coli from the bowel \u2014 enter the urinary tract and multiply. <\/p>\n
Women are statistically more prone to this due to anatomy; the female urethra is roughly four cm long compared to 20cm in men, providing a much shorter path for bacteria to migrate.<\/p>\n
While healthy people usually recover quickly, ignoring the symptoms allows the bacteria to ascend. <\/p>\n
In severe cases, this can lead to urosepsis, where the infection enters the bloodstream and causes the body\u2019s organs to begin failing.<\/p>\n
Prevention is better than the cure<\/p>\n
The most effective way to avoid the hospital bed Ms Barry-Hang found herself in is simple: stop trying to persevere with a suspected infection.<\/p>\n
Doctors suggest not self-managing with cranberry juice or extra fluids alone. <\/p>\n
It is recommended to see a GP for a urine culture to identify the specific bacteria.<\/p>\n
Even if someone feels better after two days of antibiotics, it is recommended to finish the entire prescribed course. Stopping early is a recipe for recurrence.<\/p>\n
If symptoms worsen despite treatment, it is urged to seek urgent medical attention immediately.<\/p>\n
As Ms Barry-Hang\u2019s experience highlights, a holiday can be interrupted in an instant. <\/p>\n
But with early recognition, a bladder infection can be treated long before it reaches the kidneys \u2014 turning what could have been a life-threatening crisis into a manageable medical bump in the road.<\/p>\n
If you are experiencing severe symptoms, please visit your nearest emergency department or call 000 (if in Australia) or your local emergency services number.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For popular Australian TikToker Chloe Barry-Hang, a trip to Europe was supposed to be a highlight of 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