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in collaboration with
Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)
While passing through Vietnam, a country dear to her heart, Laeticia Hallyday was urgently hospitalized there a few days ago, suffering from pyelonephritis, a bacterial infection. Our medical director, Dr. Gérald Kierzek, reminds us how to avoid this infection, especially when traveling.
Little scare for Laeticia Hallyday (and her fans) a few days ago. The young woman, traveling to Vitenam with her association The Good Star (which aims to improve the daily lives of children) had to interrupt its schedule on November 11, to be urgently hospitalized.
Stopped by a bacterial infection
Between her visits to orphanages and structures financed by her association, the mother of Jade and Joy Hallyday was admitted to a hospital in Ho Chi Minh following pyelonephritis.
As a reminder, pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection, manifested by high fever and lower back pain, which affects the kidneys and requires emergency medical treatment.
If not treated properly, complications of pyelonephritis can cause irreparable damage to the kidneys. The bacteria can also spread through the bloodstream and cause a severe or even fatal infection. Laeticia Hallyday therefore had the right reflex. Treated in hospital, she has since been able to resume her commitments.
What prevention against pyelonephritis?
Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of Doctissimo, recalls that pyelonephritis is the complication that can occur during a simple urinary infection (known as low UTI). Be vigilant if this is your case. “In the event of fever and/or lower back pain, you must consult urgently to obtain antibiotics in order to reduce the risk of the infection passing into the blood and therefore the sepsis“. To avoid this danger, at home but also when traveling where care can be more complicated, our expert advises:
- Drink enough water (1.5 to 2 liters per day) to properly drain the urinary tract;
- Urinate frequently and completely, without holding back (otherwise the urine stagnates and becomes infected);
- Urinate systematically after sexual intercourse to eliminate bacteria;
- Wipe back and forth after using the toilet to avoid carrying bacteria back to the urethra;
- If you are prone to repeated cystitis, avoid wearing clothes that are too tight or fitted (thong) or synthetic underwear. They promote perspiration and thus the proliferation of microbes. Prefer cotton underwear;
- Avoid vaginal douches and perfumed intimate hygiene products which can disrupt the vaginal flora. Maintain good intimate hygiene without excess;
- Wear cotton underwear and avoid tight clothing.
- Fight constipation by consuming enough fiber.
Slide: Urinary tract infections: possible causes