Bond girl and “That ’70s Show” star Tanya Roberts died Monday night at the age of 65 after being hospitalized for a non-COVID-19-related illness, previously confirmed TODAY. On Tuesday, Roberts’ longtime partner, Lance O’Brien, told TODAY that she had been hospitalized for a urinary tract infection that spread to her kidneys and gallbladder, which played a role in her death.
Urinary tract infections are the most common form of outpatient infection, with 50-60% of adult women developing at least one in their lifetime, according to recent research published in the journal Therapeutic Advances in Urology. However, what is much less common is dying from a urinary tract infection, Dr. Kameelah Phillips, an OB-GYN at Calla Women’s Health in New York City, told TODAY.
“People don’t die from an uncomplicated UTI,” she explained. “People die of … complications from a urinary tract infection called sepsis. That’s when the bacteria that cause cystitis actually spread into the bloodstream. And when it spreads into the bloodstream, it can lead to what we call multisystem organ failure. and that can lead to death. “
How can a UTI lead to sepsis?
Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A simple infection can cause a “chain reaction” in the body, and without treatment, sepsis can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death.
Particularly with urinary tract infections, “the amount of bacteria can (can) overwhelm the bladder system, and the bacteria exit the bladder and enter the blood chain because you have blood vessels running through your bladder,” explains Phillips. The amount of bacteria can make this more common, as can the type of bacteria. Some types are more prone than others to leave the urinary system, Phillips said.
UTIs that lead to sepsis, a condition called urosepsis, are more common in older adults, Phillips said.
In part, that may be because older adults can be asymptomatic and go untreated longer, she explained.
“Older people tend to have weaker immune systems,” added Phillips, and the underlying health problems. “(This) can also affect your body’s response to treatment … and make it more difficult for you to recover from symptoms at times,” she said.
According to Phillips, it is “not very common” for a UTI to lead to sepsis.
“Women shouldn’t worry that their average UTI will kill them,” she stressed. “(But) it teaches us not to ignore UTI symptoms and see the doctor. If you think you have symptoms, get your urine checked instead of just ignoring it or trying to take it without a prescription. to treat.”
It’s important to be aware of UTI symptoms, including:
- Pain or burning sensation when urinating
- Frequent urination
- Feeling the need to go to the bathroom despite an empty bladder
- Bloody urine
- Pressure or cramps in the groin
Roberts’ representative initially told the media that she had passed away on Sunday evening, but news broke Monday morning that Roberts was still alive. Her representative later confirmed she died Monday evening.
Roberts was best known for playing Stacey Sutton in the 1985 James Bond film “A View to a Kill” and Midge Pinciotti in “That ’70s Show” between 1998 and 2004.
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