MLB Weekly Digest September 3rd Edition - NGSC Sports

Recurring UTIs: The Infection We Keep Secretly Getting

Enlarge this image

Globally, there are more than 400 million UTIs a year. This illustration depicts the most common kind of UTI—bladder (blue) inflammation caused by E. Coli (red). TUMEGGY/Getty Images/Science Photo Library hide caption

toggle caption TUMEGGY/Getty Images/Science Photo Library

Globally, there are more than 400 million UTIs a year. This illustration depicts the most common kind of UTI—bladder (blue) inflammation caused by E. Coli (red).

TUMEGGY/Getty Images/Science Photo Library

Want to pee all the time, or been told to drink cranberry juice because it burns when you pee? If so, you might have experience with urinary tract infections or UTIs. UTIs happen when certain types of bacteria get into part of your urinary tract, like your bladder, and create an infection. Researchers estimate that 60% of women and 10% of men will get a UTI in their lifetime.

Typically, people are told to avoid UTIs by bettering their personal hygiene—peeing before and after sex, wiping properly, ceasing douching—and drinking more water. Because of this, many people may feel ashamed or embarrassed when they get a UTI, thinking it was their fault. But about one in four women experience recurring UTIs, which is defined as having at least two infections in six months or three in a year. Even when these patients do everything right, they still get infections.

But a recent study published in Nature Microbiology from a team at Washington University in St. Louis has shown that recurring or chronic UTIs might have something to do with epigenetic changes in bladder cells that make subsequent UTIs more likely.

Anatomy 101: The urinary tract, explained

Before we dive deeper into the what and how of a UTI, let's talk about the where. Where in the body is the urinary tract located? And where in that tract is bacteria wreaking havoc?

The urinary tract is basically the body's drainage system that spans a significant portion of the torso. It removes urine, which is filled with all sorts of toxins, extra water and salt. The parts of the body that make up the urinary tract include:

two kidneys below your rib cage–each about the size of a fist

two ureters, or thin tubes made up of muscle, that connects the kidneys to the bladder

a bladder, which is the hollow, muscular organ between your hip bones

the urethra, which is the tube at the base of the bladder where your pee comes out

A urinary tract infection happens when part of this tract—often the bladder—gets infected by bacteria. The common bacterial culprit is uropathogenic E. Coli, or UPEC.

The dance between the urinary tract and bacteria is well-known to Indira Mysorekar, a microbiologist at Baylor College of Medicine who has studied the bladder and UTIs for most of her career. She says UTIs can get severe when bacteria stay inside cells, adding, "once they're inside our cells, now they're protected from our immune system, our immune cells, which are outside in the bladder or in our bloodstream."

The bacteria then multiply rapidly in the bladder cells and soon, there's a full-blown infection.

Luckily, the human body has an effective method for getting rid of these now infected cells. The lining of the bladder wounds itself and then those cells get expelled into the urine.

Expulsion: When helping also hurts

Exactly how and why a UTI can become recurrent is an active research question. But there are some hypotheses, including that infection-causing bacteria in the bladder may stay there even after an infection has mostly cleared up. Indira describes these pockets of bacteria as "houses inside our bladder wall, which can come out and cause recurrent infections."

Another way bacteria could become empowered to wreck the urinary tract is through the wounding of the bladder lining. This is the way your immune system gets rid of those infected cells.

In the aforementioned study, researchers looked at bladder cells in mice. They found that when mice were infected with E. Coli and then treated with antibiotics, the mice with only a mild infection got better and then stayed healthy. The mice with an initial severe infection were also treated with antibiotics, but they were more likely to have chronic recurring infections.

Scientists then looked at the bladder cells in these mice and found epigenetic changes—alterations to how the genes are interpreted–to the bladder cells of the mice with severe infections. After severe UTIs, markers are created on the DNA of urinary tract cells that change how the DNA sequence is read. These markers tell the immune system to react to the next UTI aggressively, making the next UTI worse.

The good, the bad, the reasons for hope

For some people who experience recurring UTIs this new research is a relief. It removes the shame and guilt that stems from thinking the infections are caused by personal hygiene failures. Megan Pratz felt that relief upon hearing about the results of this study. She's had recurring UTIs since college.

"When you have a chronic condition that feels like it might go away someday because it's bacterial, that feels really, you know, hopeful, right? Someday I might get the right combination of meds—or it might get the right combination of vitamins and meds or whatever—and I won't have this problem anymore," she says.

But for Megan and many others, the news is a double-edged sword. "Knowing that I can't do anything to prevent it and this is just sort of a pain and discomfort that I'm going to have to live with at some level for the rest of my life is also, you know, unfortunate, I'd say."

But Tom Hannan, an immunologist at Washington University in St. Louis and co-author of the recurrent UTI study, is optimistic about the long-term trajectory of the research. He hopes that these epigenetic changes may not be long lived. "There is hope for patients that may have changes that cause increased susceptibility that, if given absence of infections for a period of time, they may revert to a state where they're better able to defend against bacterial infection."

Only time and more research will tell.

Goats and Soda, NPR's global health blog, recently covered the Washington University in St. Louis team's study looking at recurring UTIs. Check it out here.

Listen to Short Wave on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.

Got questions about the big and small of our universe? Email us at shortwave@npr.Org.

This episode was produced by Berly McCoy, fact checked by Anil Oza. It was edited by our managing producer Rebecca Ramirez. Our audio engineer was Robert Rodriguez. Special thanks to reporter Max Barnhart for sharing his reporting with us.

How To Get Pee Smell Out Of Your Couch —No Matter What Material It's Made From

Whether Fido had an oopsie or you are toilet training a little one in your life, accidents happen — and if they happen on your couch, well, the resulting aroma has a way of sticking around. And while your granddaughter may not try to pee where she has peed in the past, rest assured your dog certainly will. So removing the stains and the smell are equally important. With so many different couch materials, from leather to velvet, and cleaning methods out there, it can be tough to know how to tackle the problem. That's why we asked experts to share their go-to strategies for how to get pee smell out of your couch.

Why is pee such a stubborn odor?

While it's mostly comprised of water, urine also contains proteins, ammonia and bacteria. "Proteins are surfactants, which means they can break the surface tension of other molecules, causing your couch to absorb more of the liquid, and more deeply," explains Will Cotter, a cleaning specialist with FreshSpace. "The ammonia and bacteria are what you're actually smelling."

Whatever material your couch is made from, if you catch the stain early, blot out as much liquid as you can by gently pressing the area with paper towels. Keep applying pressure until no new liquid is absorbed.

How to get pee smell from your couch if it has removable cushion covers

Regardless of their material, removable cushions are typically machine washable. Simply check their tag for washing instructions and use the hottest allowable water setting; then add ¼ cup baking soda along with your regular detergent.

Baking soda is alkaline, and when it's used on urine, which is acidic, it neutralizes the stain, absorbing the odor.

It's also a good idea to wash all the covers together, even if only one had the stain on it. This way, if there is a slight alteration in the color of the fabric from laundering, everything will still match.

With the covers in the washing machine, check to see if the urine soaked through to the foam part of the cushions. If it did, take the foam and place it in your bathtub, then fully soak it in hot water. Once saturated, squirt some dish soap over the stain and work it in as deeply as you can with your hands. Then use the shower hose on its hardest setting to rinse out the cushion until no more soap suds appear.

"At this point, do a quick sniff test. If all you smell is soap fragrance, you're good to go! If you still smell urine, just repeat the soap-and-rinse process until it's gone," recommends Cotter.

Once the smell is removed and the cushion is fully rinsed, press down on it to push out as much excess water as you can. Then, if possible, leave the cushion outside in the sun to fully dry; if the weather isn't cooperative, stand the cushion up in the shower and run a fan over it until it dries completely.

How to get pee smell from a couch with non-removable cushions

If your cushions aren't removable you'll want to use an enzymatic cleaner. Typically found in pet aisles, "these cleaners use good bacteria (i.E., friendly bugs that won't make you sick) to break down and destroy the odor-causing bacteria and ammonia found in urine," explains Cotter.

They can be highly effective when used alone or alongside any of the methods listed below — but be sure to spot test any new product on a less visible area of your couch before applying and always follow the product instructions.

A few to try: Arm & Hammer Oxiclean Plus Stain & Odor Eliminator, (Buy from Chewy, $5.59), Nature's Miracle Urine Destroyer Plus (Buy from Amazon,$12.70), Resolve Urine Destroyer (Buy from Staples, $13.29).

No enzymatic cleaner on hand? Whip up this gentle cleanser. The key with these materials is eliminating the stain and smell without harming the finish or drying it out, which can cause leather, suede and even faux leather to crack. For a gentle odor eliminator, Cotter recommends combining 3 cups water and 1 cup white vinegar in a spray bottle; spritz the stain, then let it dry.

"Vinegar neutralizes ammonia and also kills bacteria, so it eliminates both the stain and the smell on contact."

After spritzing just pinpoint your couch's material below and follow the easy cleaning steps to eliminate the funk fast.

To get pee smell from a suede couch: Grab a brush

Once it your spot cleaner has dried, run a soft-bristle brush or an old hairbrush over the area to revive the fibers. You can also find specially made suede brushes, like the Shacke Suede 4-Way Leather Brush Cleaner (Buy from Amazon, $6.99) or Shoe Gear Suede & Nubuck Brush Kit, (Buy from Walmart, $4).

To get pee smell from a leather couch: Use olive oil

Lightly buff leather with a bit of olive oil to reseal it after cleaning. To do: simply pour a little oil onto a clean, dry rag and rub it into the area you cleaned until no greasy residue remains.

From a cotton, linen or wool couch: Reach for *this* mix

Getty Images

Natural fibers will not only soak in the smell of urine, but if your couch is white, beige or grey, chances are the urine will also discolor the fabric.

"To remove the stain as well as the odor from natural fibers, mix 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide — which will gently break down and remove the urochrome , the chemical that makes urine yellow — 3 Tbs. Baking soda, and 1 Tbs. Dish soap in a spray bottle, then pour it on the stain," says Partth Narula, cleaning expert for Henderson Cleaning Co."Let sit for about 15 minutes, then wipe with a damp, clean cloth to remove any baking soda residue."

From a velvet, velour or chenille couch: Enlist vodka

These materials require something strong enough to eliminate the stain and odor without damaging the soft and fluffy fibers that give them their signature look and feel. Enter rubbing alcohol. "Not only does it break down and destroy urine and odor, it also evaporates quickly and won't weigh down the material," says Narula. "Simply pour ½ cup rubbing alcohol — vodka also works in a pinch — into a spray bottle and spritz the stain until it's fully covered; then gently blot the spot with a cloth. Repeat until the stain and odor are fully removed."

To be extra certain your velvet returns to its formerly lush appearance, once the area is completely dry, run the brush attachment on your vacuum hose over the entire sofa. This will re-fluff any flattened fibers and make the whole couch look like new.

To get the smell from a synthetic couch: Use soapy water

Sofas made from a blend of fibers — like polyester, nylon, rayon and microfiber —  often require extra TLC. "Because it can be challenging to know how cleaning products will impact different blends of materials, it's often best to tackle these couches with a gentle combination of dish soap and warm water," Cotter says. "Just dampen a sponge in the mixture, then gently scrub the spot until the stain is removed and let dry."

Here YouTuber HotandHandyShow demonstrates how she removes cat urine from a couch:

What *not* to use to get pee smell from your couch

Cotter cautions against using bleach on urine stains — not only is it ineffective, it can potentially damage most couch cushion material, he explains. "It can also react to the ammonia in the urine, which can create toxic gases."

Click through for more ways to get your couch in tip-top shape:

The $6 Cleaner That Has Taken TikTok By Storm Is What Pros Recommend for a White Couch

Is Your Couch Sagging? These 2 Easy Fixes Will Make It Look Like New

How to Clean and Deodorize a Couch — The Right Way

View comments

E.coli Bacteria Detected In Grand Canyon National Park's Water Supply

E.Coli bacteria has been detected in the water supply inside the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, according to an advisory released by the National Park Service (NPS).

The announcement on Friday warned visitors at Phantom Ranch, a lodge at the bottom of the southern end of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, to boil water before using it.

"These bacteria can make you sick and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems," the NPS stated. 

E. COLI STRAIN LINKED TO LEAFY GREENS ASSOCIATED WITH OUTBREAKS, RESEARCH LED BY CDC DOCTOR SAYS

"Bacterial contamination can occur when increased run-off enters the drinking water source (for example, following heavy rains)," it also said. 

"It can also happen due to a break in the distribution system (pipes) or a failure in the water treatment process."

E.Coli bacteria has been detected in the water supply inside the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, according to an advisory released by the National Park Service (NPS) on Friday. (iStock)

All water should be boiled for one minute per 1,000 feet of elevation to kill bacteria before using it for drinking, brushing teeth, washing dishes, making ice or cooking, the NPS advised. 

Bottled water can also be used as an alternative.

At the current time, no other areas outside Phantom Ranch have been found to have E.Coli.

E.Coli — officially known as Escherichia coli — is a type of bacteria found in the environment, foods and intestines of people and animals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

MEAT CONTAMINATED WITH E. COLI COULD CAUSE HALF A MILLION URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS EACH YEAR, STUDY FINDS

Some strains can cause people to become sick, with symptoms including but not limited to severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), vomiting, respiratory illness, urinary tract infections and pneumonia.

Symptoms usually begin three to four days after eating or drinking something containing E.Coli — but can start as soon as one day or up to 10 days later.

E.Coli — officially known as Escherichia coli — is a type of bacteria found in the environment, foods and intestines of people and animals. (iStock)

While most people will recover on their own within five to seven days, some people experience severe illness that requires medical care.

The CDC recommends seeing a health care provider for "diarrhea that lasts for more than three days or diarrhea that is accompanied by a fever higher than 102˚F, bloody diarrhea, or so much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down and you pass very little urine."

BRAIN-EATING AMOEBAS: WHAT YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT THE RISK OF SWIMMING IN FRESH WATER

Although rare, some people with E. Coli can develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to kidney failure or other life-threatening complications, per the CDC.

Symptoms of HUS include extreme fatigue, decreased urination and loss of color in the face and lower eyelids.

All water should be boiled for one minute per 1,000 feet of elevation to kill bacteria before using it for drinking, brushing teeth, washing dishes, making ice or cooking, the NPS advised. (iStock)

The National Park Service stated in its announcement that it is taking steps to control the situation, including making "control system adjustments" and restarting the chlorination process. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"We are increasing sampling for coliform bacteria to determine the source of the contamination," the announcement said. 

"We will inform you when tests show no bacteria, and you no longer need to boil your water."

The National Park Service stated in its announcement that it is taking steps to control the situation, including making "control system adjustments" and restarting the chlorination process.  (iStock)

People are encouraged to share the advisory with anyone in the area who may be exposed to this water.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

For guidelines on reducing the risk of infection by microbes, people can call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Melissa Rudy is health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. 

---