Overview
Urethral catheters are hollow, flexible tubes that are inserted into the urethra to allow for the drainage of urine from the bladder. While these catheters are a common and effective method for managing urinary incontinence, they can also lead to infection. Infection associated with a urethral catheter typically occurs due to the introduction of bacteria into the urinary tract. Common symptoms of infection associated with urethral catheters include pain, a burning sensation while urinating, and cloudy or bloody urine. If left untreated, a urethral catheter-associated infection can lead to more serious consequences such as sepsis and even death. To prevent infection associated with urethral catheters, it is important to properly clean and change the catheter regularly, ensure the catheter is not withdrawn too quickly, and monitor the patient for signs of infection. Early diagnosis and treatment of infection associated with urethral catheters is essential to minimize the risk of serious complications.