(HealthDay News) -- A urinary catheter is a small, flexible tube inserted into the bladder to collect urine. A catheter may be used for a brief period after surgery when someone is unable to use the bathroom, or more long-term when illness or injury makes its use necessary.
Cleaning the catheter is important to prevent infection. Here are some suggestions from the U.S. National Library of Medicine on how to take proper care of a catheter: