Folks are feeling the burn as urinary tract infection rates surge.
UTIs are among the most common infections worldwide, affecting 50% to 60% of women at some point in their lives, and they seem to be becoming more prevalent. The disease burden rose by more than 68% between 1990 and 2019, recent research found.
Even more alarming is that the bacteria that cause UTIs are becoming more resistant to antibiotics used to treat them, making these infections more dangerous than ever.
UTIs begin when bacteria enter the urethra and infect the urinary tract due to genetic disposition, sexual activity or poor hygiene.
Symptoms of a UTI include the urgent need to urinate, a burning sensation when peeing, pressure or pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic region, cloudy or blood-tinged urine and urine with a strong odor.
UTIs are 30 times more common in female populations due to urethra length and anal proximity.
What’s causing the current spike in infections? Increased rates of UTIs can be attributed to several factors, including a growing population, particularly an elderly one that is more susceptible to UTIs, and a swath of sexually active young people.
Another contributing factor with dire consequences? A rise in UTIs that are resistant to antibiotics.
“Without changing how we use our antibiotics, we are on track to have fewer options for treating bladder, kidney and urosepsis infections,” Cindy Liu, chief medical officer at the Antibiotic Resistance Action Center at George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health, told National Geographic this week.
Part of this resistance can be attributed to meat consumption, as animals treated with antibiotics drive antibiotic resistance in the populations that eat them.
Michelle Van Kuiken, a urologist and a urogynecologist at the University of California, San Francisco, tells Nat Geo, “Eating meat that has been heavily treated with antibiotics may be contributing to increasing rates of antibiotic resistance as the human microbiome is being influenced by meat consumption. This does not mean that if you eat meat, you are going to get a UTI, but it could increase the likelihood that you may end up colonized with a multi-drug resistant organism.”
Meat can also introduce bacteria that cause UTIs, specifically E. coli, to the body, experts warn.
Research shows that 30% to 70% of meat products are contaminated with E. coli. Though the bacteria is typically killed off during the cooking process, lax food prep can easily translate to E. coli coming in contact with food.
Researchers from GWU’s Milken Institute School of Public Health explain how E. coli infections occur: the pathogen, which lives in the gut, travels through the bowels and makes its way into the urinary tract, causing infection.
A 2023 study estimated that contaminated meat, especially raw chicken and turkey, causes around half a million UTIs in the US each year.
To mitigate the rise of antibiotic-resistant E. coli, researchers recommend that meat producers inoculate animals against the most dangerous strains to prevent the bacteria from entering the food chain and avoid excessive use of antibiotics.
For cooks at home, experts suggest following USDA food preparation guidelines:
- Clean — Wash hands and surfaces often
- Separate — Don’t cross-contaminate
- Cook — Cook all meat to a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit
- Chill — Refrigerate promptly
- Sanitize — Sanitize food prep areas and utensils after each use
Consumers can also reduce exposure to drug-resistant E. coli by choosing meat products that are labeled organic or antibiotic-free.
To avoid nonfoodborne UTIs, experts recommend minimizing risk through adequate hydration, urinating after sex, frequent handwashing and hygiene techniques such as wiping front to back.
