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Originally Posted by Boomer
Thank you to both of you for sharing factual information that could save a life. This thread could turn out to be of real importance.
Long before Covid. . .
For those who have older family members and friends in their lives, it is crucial to be aware of the fact that a urinary tract infection in an older person can present as a quick onset of dementia.
As a hovering daughter, I caught this symptom immediately. I remember saying to my dad’s doctor, “Are we ever going to get Dad’s sharp brain back?”
His doctor told me, “Just wait.” (He knew it was a UTI, did a direct admit to the hospital, and hooked him up to IV antibiotics — fast.)
It was like a miracle. Dad quickly came around to his old witty self and even remembered the things he had said as the infection began to take hold of his system.
I do not normally share much personal information on TOTV, but this is important enough for me to go ahead and talk about because Dad could have died from a damned UTI. (I think he would want me to let others know to be aware.)
I have since known of this to happen with others. The first thing I always say when hearing about sudden dementia symptoms is, “Please get medical attention immediately. It could be a UTI.”
Boomer
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Thank you for sharing your story. Out of curiosity, how were you able to recognize that your dad had a urinary tract infection? Was he complaining of discomfort? Did he have a fever? I realize that the sudden onset of dementia in your dad had you running him to the doctor but what made the doctor know right away it was a UTI?
I think that sometimes people are on pain killers for various reasons and those can deaden the sensation of a UTI. They don't realize that they have one until they are peeing blood or spiking a fever.