Length of Urinary Tract Infection Treatment
In most cases, a
urinary tract infection can be cured after 1 or 2 days of treatment if the infection is not complicated by an obstruction or other disorder. However, many doctors ask their patients to take antibiotics for 1 or 2 weeks to ensure that the infection has been cured. Single-dose urinary tract infection treatment is not recommended for patients who:
- Have delayed treatment
- Have signs of a kidney infection
- Have diabetes
- Have structural abnormalities
- Have prostate infections (men).
Patients whose urinary tract infections are caused by mycoplasma or
chlamydia may also require longer treatment. After patients have finished their treatment, a follow-up urinalysis will be able to confirm that the urinary tract is infection-free. It is important for patients to take the full course of antibiotics because
UTI symptoms may disappear before the infection is fully cleared.
Urinary Tract Infection Treatment: Severe Infections
Patients who are severely ill with kidney infections may need to be hospitalized until they can take fluids and antibiotics on their own. Kidney infections generally require several weeks of antibiotic treatment.
Urinary Tract Infection Treatment: Pain
Various drugs are available to relieve the pain of a urinary tract infection. Other ways to reduce pain include:
- Using a heating pad
- Drinking plenty of water.
During urinary tract infection treatment, patients should avoid coffee, alcohol, and spicy foods. It is important to note that smoking is the major known cause of
bladder cancer. Therefore, one of the best things a smoker can do for his or her bladder is to quit smoking.
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