Urinary Tract Infection Treatment: Recurrent Infections
Four out of five women who have had three
urinary tract infections will develop another
UTI within 18 months of their last
urinary tract infection. Women who have frequent recurrences (3 or more a year) should talk to their doctor about the following chronic urinary tract infection treatment options:
- Low doses of an antibiotic, such as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMZ) or nitrofurantoin, daily for 6 months or longer. If taken at bedtime, the drug remains in the bladder longer and may be more effective. Research has shown this therapy to be effective without causing serious side effects.
- Single dose of an antibiotic after sexual intercourse.
- A short course (1 or 2 days) of antibiotics when symptoms appear.
Women who have chronic urinary tract infections may also use a dipstick that changes color when an infection is present. Dipsticks are now available without a prescription. The strip can detect nitrite, which is formed when bacteria change nitrate in the urine to nitrite. This test can detect about 90 percent of urinary tract infections when used with the first morning urine specimen and may be useful for women who have chronic urinary tract infections.
In order to avoid urinary tract infections, patients should:
- Drink plenty of water every day
- Urinate when needed and not resist the urge to urinate
- Wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria around the anus from entering the vagina or urethra
- Take showers instead of baths
- Cleanse the genital area before sexual intercourse
- Avoid using feminine hygiene sprays and scented douches, which may irritate the urethra
- Drink cranberry juice.
Previous
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print