Urinary tract infection after catheter is very common. As most catheters involve tubes connecting to or through the urethra, unsterilized catheters can cause infections and introduce oxygen. Constant vigilance and adhering to manufacturer guidelines can prevent the risk of a urinary tract infection after catheter, even with self catheterization supplies.

A urinary tract infection after catheter use has long been a problem. Benjamin Franklin is said to invent the first flexible catheter, made from hinged metal. It wasn’t until the 1940s that David S. Sheridan invented the modern disposable catheter. Dubbed the Catheter King by Forbes Magazine, Sheridan founded and sold four different catheter companies.

Catheters of today are optimized to prevent urinary tract infection after catheter. Several polymers, such as silicone, rubber, thermoplastic elastomers and latex, have replaced metal. Additionally, many catheters are used to drain fluids other than urine, completely eliminating the risk of urinary tract infection after catheter.

That said, some catheters are prone to urinary tract infection after catheter. Take Foley catheter supplies. Named for Frederic Foley, a Boston surgeon who invented them in the 1930s, Foley catheters go directly into the bladder. For a variety of reasons, one can receive a bladder infection from catheter, not least because an inorganic tube is bringing air where it was in limited supply before.

The risk of a urinary tract infection after catheter is all too real. Vigilance and constant medical attention can lessen the risk of a urinary tract infection after catheter. A person who suspects he or she has a urinary tract infection after catheter should contact both a physician and the catheter provider, and see what mitigating action can be taken. Learn more about this topic here.