Urinary tract infection (UTI)- Treatment
This post is also available in: हिन्दी (Hindi)
What is the treatment of UTI?
The doctor would treat the UTI mainly by using antibiotics. There are number of antibiotics available for treatment of UTI.
Initially, the doctor would prescribe you an antibiotic on the basis of the likely suspected microbe, severity of the symptoms and presence of any predisposing factors for the infection. After some days he might alter the antibiotic course on the basis of response to the treatment and result of the urine culture test. 2
The following are the antibiotic courses that are generally given for the specific type of UTI:
| Type of UTI | Description of the disease | Antibiotic treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Uncomplicated UTI | Acute cystitis • in a women (nonpregnant) • Premenopausal women • Acute kidney infection in otherwise healthy person | • Nitrofurantoin for 7 days or for at least 3 days after urine is sterile. Not for men. • Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for for 3 days. • Trimethoprim for 3 to 5 days. • Fosfomycin trometanol 3 g (1 dose) • Ofloxacin or ciprofloxacin for 3 days (usually avoided) |
| Uncomplicated Pyelonephritis | Acute kidney infection | • Ciprofloxacin for 7-10 days or levofloxacin for 5 days • trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for 14 days • IV ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin for 2 days followed by oral for 5-12days |
| Complicated urinary tract infection | UTI • in men or • related to catheter use | • If possible treat complicating factors such as remove the stone or the catheter. • Ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin for 7 to 14 days. • Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for 7 to 14 days. |
| Complicated pyelonephritis or urosepsis | Complicated kidney infection or Sepsis caused by UTI. | • IV ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, cefepime, or piperacillin/tazobactam • Ertapenem, meropenem • Colistin; if antibiotic resistant Treat for 14 days |
| UTI or asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women | Pregnant women with • UTI • Bacteria in urine with no symptoms | • Nitrofurantoin for 5-7 days • Amoxicillin/ amoxicillin-clavulanate for 3-7 days • Cefpodoxime for 3-7 days |
Supportive treatment:
• Plenty of fluid intake especially water. Cranberry juice role after infection is not established.
• In cases you have dehydration, vomiting or sepsis the doctor would also give IV fluids.
• Removal of complicating factors if present such as catheter or stone.
What to do to prevent yourself from UTI?
There are several day to day habits that can help you prevent from developing urinary tract infection. These are as follows:
• Drink plenty of water and fluids: it is advisable to drink at least 2 liters of water per day which helps to dilute the urine and flush out microbes. This is not applicable for a person with urinary incontinence, or a person with heart or kidney failure. These people should consult their doctors. Some of the studies show drinking cranberry juice helps in preventing UTI, however few other studies discard this notion.
• After intercourse: you should urinate immediately after intercourse and drink plenty of water. This helps to flush out microorganisms with the urine.
• Wipe genitals from front to back: wiping from front to back after urinating or passing stools prevents microbes present in the anal region to spread to the urethra.
• Maintain genital hygiene and keep it dry: it is advisable to wear cotton underwear and loose fitting clothes to keep the area dry.
• Avoid using products in the genital area: application of products such as deodorant, powdersand douches in the genital area can irritate the urethra making it susceptible to infection.
• Avoid certain birth control methods: avoid using diaphragms, non lubricated condoms or spermicidal agents.
TOP HEALTH NEWS & RESEARCH
Breast cancer: One-dose radiotherapy ‘as effective as full course’
A single targeted dose of radiotherapy could be as effective at treating breast cancer as a full course, a long-term…
Coronavirus smell loss ‘different from cold and flu’
The loss of smell that can accompany coronavirus is unique and different from that experienced by someone with a bad…
Lancet Editor Spills the Beans
Editors of The Lancet and the New England Journal of Medicine: Pharmaceutical Companies are so Financially Powerful They Pressure us…
Mother & Child
Guide to baby’s finger foods
What are finger foods? Any solid food that can be eaten directly with hands rather than with utensils like a…
Parenting as a team
Raising your kid as a team Parenting is a rewarding feeling for both partners. However, along the way, it often…
Postpartum Period Symptoms and Complications
What is the postpartum period? A postpartum period is the time interval during which a mother recovers after giving birth.…
Mind & Mental health
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)- Treatment
How generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is treated? The treatment of generalized anxiety disorder is decided on the basis of severity…
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)- Diagnosis
How generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is diagnosed? Before getting into the diagnosis details of GAD, learn about what is generalized…
Mindfulness: What is it and is it beneficial?
Mindfulness – the practice of being present in the moment – has gained traction in the West over the last…
