How does COVID-19 affect the bladder ?

What is it about?

The lungs are the first organ to be targeted by the COVID-19 virus. New evidence now suggests that this disease might also affect the bladder. An exact association, however, has not yet been made. To this end, the following study attempted to find out more. Authors of a 2021 paper followed up with COVID-19 patients. They asked these patients, as well as healthy controls, to complete surveys that indicated their urinary symptoms and quality of life. Their urine samples were also analyzed. The findings from the survey were intriguing. COVID-19 patients reported serious genital and urinary symptoms. Among these was an increased and frequent urge to urinate. Patients reported a frequent urge to pass urine at night as well. This disturbed their sleep and reduced their quality of life. The urine samples of these patients also revealed interesting findings. Those with COVID-19 did not have the virus in their urine. But the urine did have high levels of inflammatory markers.

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Photo by Fusion Medical Animation on Unsplash

Photo by Fusion Medical Animation on Unsplash

Why is it important?

COVID-19 affects multiple organs. Knowing these associations helps medical practitioners understand the disease and its management. This study found many differences among COVID-19 patients. Not all of them had the same urinary symptoms and marker levels. These differences could point to varying disease severity and duration. They could also bring underlying medical conditions to light. KEY TAKEAWAY: COVID-19 patients suffer from bothersome urinary and genital symptoms. They have an increased level of inflammatory markers in their urine. Treatment for COVID-19 patients should aim to address these symptoms for improved outcomes.