Here are some infectious diseases caused by microorganisms in the genitourinary systems:
A genital ulcer is located on the genital area, usually caused by a sexually transmitted disease such as genital herpes, syphilis, chancroid, or chlamydia trachomatis. Some other signs of having genital ulcers include enlarged lymph nodes in the groin area, or vesicular lesions, which are small, elevated sores or blisters. The syndrome may be further classified into penile ulceration and vulval ulceration for males and females respectively. Genital ulcers are not strictly a sign of an STD. They can occur in patients with Behcet's syndrome, lupus, and some forms of rheumatoid arthritis (all non-communicable diseases). Genital tuberculosis, often caused by direct genital contact with infected sputum, can also present as genital ulcer.
Leptospirosis is a rare and severe infection that occurs when you come in contact with Leptospira bacteria. This can be found in fresh water that has been contaminated by animal urine. The infection occurs in warmer climates. It is not spread from person to person, except in vary rare cases when it is spread through breast milk or from a mother to her unborn child.
Risk factors include:
Leptospirosis is rare in the continental United States. Hawaii has the highest number of cases in the United States.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of your urinary system — your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra. Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than men are. Infection limited to your bladder can be painful and annoying. However, serious consequences can occur if a UTI spreads to your kidneys.
Vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina that can result in discharge, itching and pain. The cause is usually a change in the normal balance of vaginal bacteria or an infection. Vaginitis can also result from reduced estrogen levels after menopause.
The most common types of vaginitis are:
Bacterial vaginosis is a type of vaginal inflammation that results from the overgrowth of one of several types of bacteria normally present in the vagina, upsetting the natural balance of vaginal bacteria. Women in their reproductive years are most commonly affected by bacterial vaginosis, but any woman can experience the condition. Doctors don't know exactly why bacterial vaginosis develops, but certain activities, such as unprotected sexual intercourse or frequent douching, put you at higher risk of the condition.
Prostatitis is swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland, a walnut-sized gland located directly below the bladder in men. The prostate gland produces fluid (semen) that nourishes and transports sperm. It is often causes painful or difficult urination. Other symptoms of prostatitis include pain in the groin, pelvic area or genitals and sometimes flu-like symptoms. It affects men of all ages but tends to be more common in men 50 years of age or younger. Prostatitis can be caused by a number of different things. If it's caused by a bacterial infection, it can usually be treated with antibiotics. However, sometimes prostatitis isn't caused by a bacterial infection or an exact cause is never identified. Depending on the cause, prostatitis may come on gradually or suddenly. It may get better quickly, either on its own or with treatment. Some types of prostatitis last for months or keep recurring (chronic prostatitis).
Sources:
A genital ulcer is located on the genital area, usually caused by a sexually transmitted disease such as genital herpes, syphilis, chancroid, or chlamydia trachomatis. Some other signs of having genital ulcers include enlarged lymph nodes in the groin area, or vesicular lesions, which are small, elevated sores or blisters. The syndrome may be further classified into penile ulceration and vulval ulceration for males and females respectively. Genital ulcers are not strictly a sign of an STD. They can occur in patients with Behcet's syndrome, lupus, and some forms of rheumatoid arthritis (all non-communicable diseases). Genital tuberculosis, often caused by direct genital contact with infected sputum, can also present as genital ulcer.
Leptospirosis is a rare and severe infection that occurs when you come in contact with Leptospira bacteria. This can be found in fresh water that has been contaminated by animal urine. The infection occurs in warmer climates. It is not spread from person to person, except in vary rare cases when it is spread through breast milk or from a mother to her unborn child.
Risk factors include:
- Occupational exposure -- farmers, ranchers, slaughterhouse workers, trappers, veterinarians, loggers, sewer workers, rice field workers, and military personnel
- Recreational activities -- fresh water swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and trail biking in warm areas
- Household exposure -- pet dogs, domesticated livestock, rainwater catchment systems, and infected rodents
Leptospirosis is rare in the continental United States. Hawaii has the highest number of cases in the United States.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of your urinary system — your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra. Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than men are. Infection limited to your bladder can be painful and annoying. However, serious consequences can occur if a UTI spreads to your kidneys.
Vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina that can result in discharge, itching and pain. The cause is usually a change in the normal balance of vaginal bacteria or an infection. Vaginitis can also result from reduced estrogen levels after menopause.
The most common types of vaginitis are:
- Bacterial vaginosis, which results from overgrowth of one of several organisms normally present in your vagina
- Yeast infections, which are usually caused by a naturally occurring fungus called Candida albicans
- Trichomoniasis, which is caused by a parasite and is commonly transmitted by sexual intercourse
- Vaginal atrophy (atrophic vaginitis), which results from reduced estrogen levels after menopause
Bacterial vaginosis is a type of vaginal inflammation that results from the overgrowth of one of several types of bacteria normally present in the vagina, upsetting the natural balance of vaginal bacteria. Women in their reproductive years are most commonly affected by bacterial vaginosis, but any woman can experience the condition. Doctors don't know exactly why bacterial vaginosis develops, but certain activities, such as unprotected sexual intercourse or frequent douching, put you at higher risk of the condition.
Prostatitis is swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland, a walnut-sized gland located directly below the bladder in men. The prostate gland produces fluid (semen) that nourishes and transports sperm. It is often causes painful or difficult urination. Other symptoms of prostatitis include pain in the groin, pelvic area or genitals and sometimes flu-like symptoms. It affects men of all ages but tends to be more common in men 50 years of age or younger. Prostatitis can be caused by a number of different things. If it's caused by a bacterial infection, it can usually be treated with antibiotics. However, sometimes prostatitis isn't caused by a bacterial infection or an exact cause is never identified. Depending on the cause, prostatitis may come on gradually or suddenly. It may get better quickly, either on its own or with treatment. Some types of prostatitis last for months or keep recurring (chronic prostatitis).
Sources:
- http://www.electronicproducts.com/uploadedImages/Power_Products/Power_Management/E.COLI.jpg
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genital_ulcer
- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001376.htm
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/basics/definition/con-20037892
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginitis/basics/definition/con-20022645
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bacterial-vaginosis/basics/definition/con-20035345
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostatitis/basics/definition/con-20020916