Treatment
A UTI is usually treated with a course of antibiotics. The type, concentration, and length of drug therapy will depend on:
- Which specific bacteria is/are present
- What drugs the bacteria is/are susceptible to
- How much of the urinary tract is involved
- The health / allergies of the infected patient
- Whether or not they are having recurrent UTIs
- Whether the infection is acute or chronic
- Whether the antimicrobial is being used as a preventive measure or to treat an existing infection
- Whether the infection has spread to the blood
In a complicated UTI, your infection may be due to more than one bacterium and your doctor will need to find an antimicrobial or a combination of antibiotics that will treat all of the bacteria causing the infection. If the infection has spread to the kidneys the patient may require several months of treatment. This is also true if the patient is a male whose prostate has become infected.
If you are particularly prone to recurrent infections and/or particularly vulnerable to kidney damage, your doctor may recommend preventive antimicrobials, either on a continuing basis or during times of increased risk.
If the infection is due to a sexually transmitted disease, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, your doctor will prescribe specific drugs that have been proven to be effective against these organisms. If you are sexually active and experiencing recurrent UTIs, it may be due to an asymptomatic infection in your partner. In some cases both partners will need to be treated. (If you are on oral contraceptives, you may want to talk to your doctor as some antimicrobials can lessen their effectiveness.)
If you are on antimicrobial therapy for several days, there is a chance that you may develop diarrhea or a vaginal yeast infection. This is because the drugs also kill good/normal bacteria and upset the balance of bacteria in the body. If this happens, talk to your doctor because you may need additional treatment.
Sometimes recurrent or chronic UTIs will occur until an underlying structural abnormality, stone, obstruction, or disease or condition is addressed. For some conditions, surgery may be required to correct the underlying problem.
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