How To Treat Severe Urinary Tract Infection

What Are Risk Factors For Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary Tract Infection – Overview (signs and symptoms, pathophysiology, causes and treatment)

Individuals with the following conditions are at higher risk of getting UTIs:

The following factors may promote bacterial growth in women:

Dehydration, which can cause urine to become concentrated and allow bacteria to thrive
Holding urine for long periods of time
Spinal cord injuries or other nerve damage that makes the bladder emptying difficult regularly and completely
Conditions or situations that obstruct the urine flow, such as a tumor, kidney stone, enlarged prostate, or sexual intercourse
Diabetes and other conditions that weaken the immune system
Pregnancy-related hormonal changes in the urinary tract, which can encourage bacteria to spread through the ureters and to the kidneys
Certain birth control methods, such as the diaphragm and spermicidal agents
Urinary surgery or a physical examination of the urinary tract

Older adults, children, and men can also acquire UTIs. Some factors that increase the likelihood of UTI may include:

How Can I Prevent Utis

Its not always possible to prevent UTIs, but theres things you can do to try.

Things to do

Wiping from front to back when going to the toilet.

Maintaining hygiene by washing daily using unperfumed soap.

Trying to empty your bladder fully when peeing.

Wearing cotton underwear.

Drinking plenty of fluids aim for six to eight glasses of water a day.

Emptying your bladder after sex.

Things to avoid

Holding on when you feel the urge to pee.

Using perfumed soaps or talcum powder.

Wearing tight trousers or synthetic underwear.

If you or someone you look after needs help washing, going to the toilet or getting dressed, its important to get the help you need. Find out more about arranging care and support.

My 94-year-old father got a UTI and the hospital staff assumed he had dementia, because he wasnt making any sense. I had to make sure they knew this wasnt normal for him.

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Risk Factors For Developing Utis

Some people are at greater risk than others of developing UTIs. These include:

women sexually active women are vulnerable, in part because the urethra is only four centimetres long and bacteria have only this short distance to travel from the outside to the inside of the bladder
people with urinary catheters such as people who are critically ill, who cant empty their own bladder
people with diabetes changes to the immune system make a person with diabetes more vulnerable to infection
men with prostate problems such as an enlarged prostate gland that can cause the bladder to only partially empty
babies especially those born with physical problems of the urinary system.

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Can Urinary Tract Infections Be Prevented

These steps may help reduce the chance of getting UTIs:

Drink plenty of water every day.
Drink cranberry juice. Large amounts of vitamin C limit the growth of some bacteria by acidifying the urine. Vitamin C supplements have the same effect.
Urinate when you feel the need. Do not wait.
Take showers instead of tub baths.
Clean the genital area before and after sex, and urinate shortly after sex.
Women should not use feminine hygiene sprays or scented douches.
Cotton underwear and loose fitting clothes help keep the area around the urethra dry. Tight clothes and nylon underwear trap moisture. This can help bacteria grow.
Repeated bouts of urinary tract infections can be treated with small doses of regular antibiotics.

Please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have about UTIs.

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Does Uti Pain Get Worse At Night

Yes, bacterial infections like UTIs have the tendency to get worse at night. This is because during night time our body slows down most of its daytime regime in order to give adequate rest.

In the case of the urinary tract, the blood filtration lowers its pace which decreases the production of urine. Decreased amount of urine in the system increases discomfort and pain.

Summary: It is generally seen that bacterial infections like UTIs tend to get worse at night. This is because our body decelerates its basic functions which can increase discomfort and pain.

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Can Utis Go Away Without Medication

However, the body can often resolve minor, uncomplicated UTIs on its own without the help of antibiotics. By some estimates, 2542 percent of uncomplicated UTI infections clear on their own. In these cases, people can try a range of home remedies to speed up recovery. Complicated UTIs will require medical treatment.

Try Taking A Probiotic

Introducing a probiotic to your system may help to replenish the naturally occurring, healthy bacteria that live in the gut. It is thought that probiotics may prevent harmful bacteria from attaching to the urinary tract cells, and may also lower the urine Ph, making it less hospitable to harmful bacteria. And, if you have taken an antibiotic to treat a UTI, taking a probiotic is a great way to build up the healthy bacteria that may have been killed during your course of treatment. Probiotics are found in supplement form , or they occur naturally in some types of food, including certain yogurts, kombucha, or kefir.

How Do They Work

You can buy over-the-counter UTI dipstick tests at your local drugstore or online. They work much like a pregnancy test: Each kit comes with a testing strip . You wet a test strip by holding it in your urine stream for a few seconds. Or, you can collect urine in a clean cup and dip the strip into the sample. Wait 1 to 2 minutes for the color of the test strip to change. This will vary depending on the brand you use. Check the chart on the home test kit to find out if youâve tested positive for a UTI.

Home test kits might be useful if you have UTIs that keep coming back. They check for white blood cells and bacteria in the urine. But the results can be affected by a number of things, like medications youâre taking. And studies show that urine cultures are far more reliable for showing whether you have a UTI.

The bottom line: See your doctor to be sure, no matter what your UTI home test reveals.

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Causes Of Urinary Tract Infections

UTI l Urinary Tract Infection & Pyelonephritis Treatment for NCLEX RN & LPN

Urinary tract infections are usually caused by bacteria from poo entering the urinary tract.

The bacteria enter through the tube that carries pee out of the body .

Women have a shorter urethra than men. This means bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys and cause an infection.

Things that increase the risk of bacteria getting into the bladder include:

do not use scented soap
do not hold your pee in if you feel the urge to go
do not rush when going for a pee try to fully empty your bladder
do not wear tight, synthetic underwear, such as nylon
do not drink lots of alcoholic drinks, as they may irritate your bladder
do not have lots of sugary food or drinks, as they may encourage bacteria to grow
do not use condoms or a diaphragm or cap with spermicidal lube on them try non-spermicidal lube or a different type of contraception

Sooowhat Happens If A Uti Gets Worse

There are a few reasons why your UTI might not improve, the first being that you stop taking your antibiotics. Survivor bacteria that have been exposed to a short course of antibiotics will evolve to resist that antibiotic, explains Dr. Kaufman. That means the infection will no longer respond to the medication, making it much tougher to get rid of the UTI.

If you have more than two UTIs in six months or three in one year, docs will typically recommend you get a cystoscopy or CT scan to look inside the bladder and make sure theres nothing there that shouldnt be there .

That brings us to another reason your UTI could be getting worse: It might *not* be a standard UTI and is actually a more serious kidney infection that requires emergency care. This can occur when bladder infections are left untreated, Dr. Mueller says.

Symptoms of a more severe kidney infection can include:

Confusion Alone Does Not Signal A Urinary Tract Infection

When an older adult becomes confused, many people both medical and non-medical assume that a UTI is responsible.

But aging increases the incidence of confusion and delirium, especially among those who are cognitively impaired, depressed, malnourished or completely dependent.

Delirium can be caused by various factors, the most common one being dehydration, notes Dr. Lathia.

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Over The Counter Medications For Urinary Tract Infections

Brand names listed as examples do not imply better quality over other brands. Generic equivalents may also exist.
Use only as directed on the package, unless your healthcare provider instructs you to do otherwise.
OTCs may interact with other medications or be potentially harmful if you have certain medical conditions. Talk to your pharmacist about options that are right for you.

Other Ways To Prevent Some Utis Coming Back

If you keep getting a bladder infection , there is some evidence it may be helpful to take:

D-mannose a sugar you can buy as a powder or tablets to take every day
cranberry products available as juice, tablets or capsules to take every day

Speak to your doctor before taking any of these during pregnancy.

Be aware that D-mannose and cranberry products can contain a lot of sugar.

If you’re taking warfarin, you should avoid cranberry products.

Page last reviewed: 22 March 2022 Next review due: 22 March 2025

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What Is The Long

Urinary tract infections are uncomfortable and painful. Most chronic UTIs will resolve with a prolonged course of antibiotics, but monitoring for further symptoms is important since the chronic UTIs usually recur. People with UTIs should monitor their bodies and seek immediate treatment with the onset of a new infection. Early treatment of infection decreases your risk for more serious, long-term complications.

If youre susceptible to recurring UTIs, make sure to:

urinate as often as needed
wipe front to back after urinating

Can Utis Be Prevented

These tips can help prevent UTIs:

School-age girls should avoid bubble baths and strong soaps that might cause irritation. They also should wear cotton underwear instead of nylon because it’s less likely to encourage bacterial growth.
All kids should be taught not to “hold it” when they have to go. Pee that stays in the bladder gives bacteria a good place to grow.
Kids should drink plenty of fluids but avoid those with caffeine.

How Do You Get Urinary Tract Infections

The design of the human body makes it so it isnt hard to get a bacterial UTI, because the infection comes from outside, through the urethra. Bacteria in the genital area can enter the urethra and the urinary tract, either because wiping after going to the bathroom, sexual activity, or unsanitary conditions. Once the bacteria have entered the urethra, the body tries fight them off, but sometimes the bacteria multiply and cause an infection.

In the case of a fungal infection, usually the fungus gets to the urinary tract through the blood stream. Those who develop this type of infection are usually ill with a disease that has compromised their immune system, such as AIDS.

In general, women get more UTIs than do men and this increases with age. Statistics show that many women get more than one. Almost 20% of women who have had one UTI will go on to have a second. Of this 20%, 30% of those will have a third, and in turn, 80% of these women will have more.

Treatment From A Gp For Utis That Keep Coming Back

Mayo Clinic Minute: Treating Urinary Tract Infections

If your UTI comes back after treatment, you may have a urine test and be prescribed different antibiotics.

Your doctor or nurse will also offer advice on how to prevent UTIs.

If you keep getting UTIs and regularly need treatment, a GP may give you a repeat prescription for antibiotics.

If you have been through the menopause, you may be offered a vaginal cream containing oestrogen.

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Why Are Females At A Higher Risk For Utis

People with female reproductive organs are at a higher risk for UTIs because of their anatomy. The female urethra, the tube which empties urine from your bladder out of your body, is shorter than someone born with male anatomy.

The female urethra is also quite close to female reproductive organs. That means bacteria from sexual intercourse as well as products like spermicide can be in close contact with the urethra and bladder.

Females also experience menopause and pregnancy. These two biological events change the bacteria in your reproductive and digestive tracts and create conditions that make UTIs more likely.

Do You Need To See A Doctor To Get Antibiotics For A Uti

You need to speak with your doctor or a licensed medical professional to be prescribed antibiotics for a UTI. This can usually be done in person, at the doctor, or over the phone.

If this is your first UTI or your symptoms are severe, it may be helpful to get treated in person. You may also want to consider an in-person visit with your healthcare professional to rule out sexually transmitted infections if you are sexually active or have multiple sexual partners.

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Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections In Women: Diagnosis And Management

CHARLES M. KODNER, MD, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky

EMILY K. THOMAS GUPTON, DO, MPH, Primary Care Medical Center, Murray, Kentucky

Am Fam Physician. 2010 Sep 15 82:638-643.

Recurrent urinary tract infections are common in women and associated with considerable morbidity and health care use. The clinical features, diagnostic testing, and causative organisms are often similar to those of single cases of UTI, although there are additional treatment strategies and prevention measures to consider with recurrent UTIs.

SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE

A urine culture with greater than 102 colony-forming units per mL is considered positive in patients who have symptoms of UTI.

Clinical recommendation

A Pharmacist Can Help With Utis

You can ask a pharmacist about treatments for a UTI.

A pharmacist can:

offer advice on things that can help you get better
suggest the best painkiller to take
tell you if you need to see a GP about your symptoms

Some pharmacies offer a UTI management service. They may be able to give antibiotics if they’re needed.

Urgent Advice: Ask For An Urgent Gp Appointment Or Get Help From Nhs 111 If:

You think you, your child or someone you care for may have a urinary tract infection and:

a very high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
a very low temperature below 36C
are confused, drowsy or have difficulty speaking
have not been for a pee all day
have pain in the lower tummy or in the back, just under the ribs
can see blood in their pee

These symptoms could mean you have a kidney infection, which can be serious if it’s not treated as it could cause .

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

What If The Infection Does Not Clear Up With Treatment

Most infections clear up with treatment. However, if an infection does not clear up, or if you have repeated infections, you may be given some special tests such as:

a type of x-ray called an intravenous pyleogram , which involves injecting a dye into a vein and taking pictures of your kidney and bladder
an ultrasound exam, which gives a picture of your kidneys and bladder using sound waves
a cytoscopic exam, which uses a hollow tube with special lenses to look inside the bladder.

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When You Need Themand When You Dont

Antibiotics are medicines that can kill bacteria. Doctors often use antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections . The main symptoms of UTIs are:

A burning feeling when you urinate.
A strong urge to urinate often.

However, many older people get UTI treatment even though they do not have these symptoms. This can do more harm than good. Heres why:

Antibiotics usually dont help when there are no UTI symptoms.

Older people often have some bacteria in their urine. This does not mean they have a UTI. But doctors may find the bacteria in a routine test and give antibiotics anyway.

The antibiotic does not help these patients.

It does not prevent UTIs.
It does not help bladder control.
It does not help memory problems or balance.

Most older people should not be tested or treated for a UTI unless they have UTI symptoms. And if you do have a UTI and get treated, you usually dont need another test to find out if you are cured. You should only get tested or treated if UTI symptoms come back.

Antibiotics have side effects.

Antibiotics can have side effects, such as fever, rash, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, tendon ruptures, and nerve damage.

Antibiotics can cause future problems.

Antibiotics can kill friendly germs in the body. This can lead to vaginal yeast infections. It can also lead to other infections, and severe diarrhea, hospitalization, and even death.

Antibiotics can be a waste of money.

When should older people take antibiotics for a UTI?

10/2013