Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
- Blood in urine and new onset since starting antibiotic
- Taking antibiotic more than 24 hours, and pain with passing urine is severe.
- Taking antibiotic more than 48 hours and fever still there or comes back
- Taking antibiotic more than 3 days and pain not better
- You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent
Related Conditions And Causes Of Uti
There are a number of health conditions that share some symptoms with urinary tract infections, including:
The following conditions may make you more susceptible to developing a UTI and increase the severity of symptoms:
Type 2 diabetes
And having a UTI can increase a man’s risk for benign prostatic hyperplasia .
Try Drinking Some Unsweetened Cranberry Juice
While the research is a bit unclear, cranberries have been used as a prevention of UTI for generations. Studies have shown that cranberries actually make it harder for the bacteria that cause UTIs to stick to the urinary tract walls. So, while not really a remedy, if you frequently get UTIs, it might be worth drinking a couple of glasses of unsweetened cranberry juice, or snacking on the actual fruit .
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Are There Any Home Remedies For A Urinary Tract Infection
The best home remedy for a UTI is prevention . However, although there are many home remedies available from websites, holistic medicine publications, and from friends and family members there is controversy about them in the medical literature as few have been adequately studied. However, a few remedies will be mentioned because there may be some positive effects from these home remedies. The reader should be aware that while reading about these remedies , they should not overlook the frequent admonition that UTIs can be dangerous. If the person does not experience relief or if his or her symptoms worsen over 1 to 2 days, the person should seek medical care. In fact, many of the articles about UTI remedies actually describe ways to reduce or prevent UTIs. Examples of home treatments that may help to prevent UTIs, that may have some impact on an ongoing infection, and that is unlikely to harm people are as follows:
There are over-the-counter tests available for detecting presumptive evidence for a UTI . These tests are easy to use and can provide a presumptive diagnosis if the test instructions are carefully followed a positive test should encourage the person to seek medical care.
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.
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When To Contact A Doctor
If a person suspects that they have a UTI, they should ask a healthcare professional for advice about the best way to treat it.
Antibiotics may not always be necessary, but it is still important to seek medical attention. This reduces the risk of developing a more severe infection that is harder to treat.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about treating UTIs.
How Effective Are Antibiotics
Antibiotics have been shown to be fast and effective in treating uncomplicated cystitis. The pain and burning usually get better within one to three days and then go away completely a short time later. But sometimes arent needed at all. If the symptoms are bearable and no complications are expected, they arent necessary.
How long you need to take the depends on the specific drug: usually 1, 3, 5 or 7 days, or longer in rare cases. One to three days of treatment is usually enough to relieve the symptoms in most women. Taking antibiotics for longer doesnt improve symptom relief. But it is more likely to cause side effects such as vaginal yeast infections, stomach and bowel problems, and skin rashes.
You can talk to your doctor about which can be used in your case. That will depend on any other medical conditions you have and whether you have a higher risk of complications. Some have become resistant to certain antibiotics and no longer respond to them. The choice of antibiotics will also depend on how common those bacteria are. Whichever medication you choose, it is important to take it as described in the package insert, and not to stop the treatment early.
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How Can Doctors Tell If I Have A Bladder Infection
Your doctor can tell if you have a bladder infection based on:
-
Testing your urine
To test your urine, doctors need a sample that doesnt have any bacteria from your skin in it. So before you urinate, youll have to clean off the area where your urine comes out. Youll first urinate a little bit in the toilet. Youll then put the urine container in your urine stream and collect a sample. If the doctors dont think this method will give a clean enough sample, they may put a catheter in your bladder to get the sample.
Causes Of Bladder Infection
When the bacteria attack the urinary tract, it results in a bladder infection. Women get affected by a bladder infection also due to the short length of their urethra. In men, it is mostly caused due to sexual intercourse with an infected female. The use of contraceptive diaphragms or spermicidal agents is also a reason for bladder infection. Other causes are:
- A feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen.
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How Is A Uti Diagnosed
To find out whether you have a UTI, your doctor or nurse will test a clean sample of your urine. This means you will first wipe your genital area with a special wipe. Then you will collect your urine in midstream in a cup. Your doctor or nurse may then test your urine for bacteria to see whether you have a UTI, which can take a few days.
If you have had a UTI before, your doctor may order more tests to rule out other problems. These tests may include:
- A cystogram. This is a special type of x-ray of your urinary tract. These x-rays can show any problems, including swelling or kidney stones.
- A cystoscopic exam. The cystoscope is a small tube the doctor puts into the urethra to see inside of the urethra and bladder for any problems.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Bladder Infection
The symptoms of a water infection vary depending upon its severity. However, most people experience the following:
- Needing to urinate more often than usual
- Pain or a burning/stinging sensation while urinating
- The sudden urge to urinate
- Feeling as though you cannot fully empty your bladder
- Foul-smelling, cloudy or bloody urine
- Feeling achy, tired and unwell
On their own, these symptoms typically point to a lower UTI such as cystitis. This means that the infection has only affected the urethra and/or bladder. If the infection spreads further up the urinary tract to the ureters or kidneys this is known as an upper UTI. An upper UTI is more serious than a lower UTI, and its symptoms include:
- Agitation and restlessness
Left untreated, an upper UTI can seriously damage the kidneys and spread to the bloodstream. When you start experiencing these symptoms, you should contact a doctor.
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How Do You Know If A Uti Has Spread To Your Kidneys
If you notice any of these symptoms, you may have a urinary tract infection .
A UTI can affect one or both of these organs and can lead to blood poisoning and a buildup of pus.
Also, a bladder infection typically develops when E. coli bacteria enter the bladder and move through the urethra to the kidneys.
It is relatively rare and affects only one in eight hundred individuals in the United States each year.
If youve experienced fever, pain, or swelling, its best to see a doctor for a kidney infection.
The bacteria may cause scarring in the urethra, which can lead to high blood pressure and even kidney failure.
Also, fever is another sign of a kidney infection.
A temperature of 101 deg or higher is indicative of a serious kidney infection.
Also, a urine sample can be used to diagnose a kidney infection.
A urine culture can be done to see which organisms are causing the symptoms.
It may be high in bacteria or white blood cells.
If the infection has spread to the blood, a blood culture can be done to see what type of antibiotic to use.
In addition, computed tomography scans of the urinary tract can be used to detect a blockage.
High bacteria and white blood cells are signs of an infection.
Your doctor will also need to get a urine sample from you to check for any pus, blood, or bacteria in the urine.
If there is blood, your doctor will need to culture the samples.
And if you have a kidney infection, your doctor may also order blood tests to rule out other infections.
How Serious Is A Uti
Urinary tract infections can be painful and uncomfortable, but they ultimately donât pose a serious threat to your health as long as you seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
Read on to learn more about when urinary tract infections turn into kidney infections, the differences between the two, and what you can do to properly treat and prevent them.
Read: Get UTI Treatment Online
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Other Ways To Prevent Cystitis Coming Back
If you keep getting cystitis, there is some evidence you may find it 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
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: 11 February 2022 Next review due: 11 February 2025
Different Types Of Kidney Infections
You can generally classify kidney infections into 3 categories:
- Uncomplicated infections
- Chronic or recurring kidney infections.
Uncomplicated infections are simply those that start as urinary tract infections and spread, causing plenty of pain and discomfort but no long-term damage.
A complicated kidney infection is an infection accompanied by a condition that increases the potential for that infection to become severe and for treatments to become ineffective. This includes obstructions or abnormalities in the urinary system or disorders like diabetes. Complicated pyelonephritis also indicates more severe issues related to the kidneys. This includes the formation of abscesses or obstructions in the kidneys or even enlarged kidneys. Complicated kidney infections come with more severe symptoms and are often less responsive to treatments.
Chronic kidney infections are rare and often caused by birth defects, structural abnormalities, or other preexisting issues. Frequent kidney infections can cause scarring and progressive damage to the kidneys. Thankfully, most cases of chronic pyelonephritis are discovered early in childhood. Most cases of kidney infection are cured with traditional treatments and medications, with little lasting damage to the kidneys or urinary system. Most people wonât develop a kidney infection again.
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Use Essential Oils With Caution
Oregano essential oil is well known for its strong antibacterial properties. Studies have shown that oregano oil can be very effective at killing E.coli, but it should be noted these studies are generally done in vitro meaning in a lab using scientific techniques, not performed in humans with infections.. Lemongrass oil and Clove oil may also be a home remedy for UTIs because of their antimicrobial properties, but both have been studied against harmful bacteria in similar experiments as Oregano oil.
Its important to take care before using essential oils as a treatment. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy advises against ingesting these oils. Instead, essential oils may be safely used topically with a carrier oil or inhaled from a diffuser.
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Can Urinary Tract Infections Be Prevented Or Avoided
There are many lifestyle choices that can help you prevent UTIs. These are some of the things you can do to protect yourself from them:
- Drink plenty of water to flush out bacteria. For some people, drinking cranberry juice may also help prevent urinary tract infections. However, if youre taking warfarin, check with your doctor before using cranberry juice to prevent urinary tract infections. Your doctor may need to adjust your warfarin dose or you may need to have more frequent blood tests.
- Dont hold your urine. Urinate when you feel like you need to. Some children dont go to the bathroom often enough. If your child does this, teach him or her to go to the bathroom several times each day.
- Wipe from front to back after bowel movements. Teach your child to wipe correctly.
- Urinate after having sex to help wash away bacteria.
- Use enough lubrication during sex. Try using a small amount of lubricant before sex if youre a little dry.
- If you get urinary tract infections often, you may want to avoid using a diaphragm as a birth control method. Ask your doctor about other birth control choices.
- Avoid taking or giving your child bubble baths.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing , and dress your child in loose-fitting clothing.
- If you are uncircumcised, wash the foreskin regularly. If you have an uncircumcised boy, teach him how to wash his foreskin.
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How Long Does A Uti Last With Antibiotics
UTI is caused by a certain bacteria in the urethra and in the process the use of antibiotics can help to get rid of these bacteria causing the UTIs. Antibiotics are mostly used to treat UTIs effectively within 1 or 2 days.For the antibiotics to be effective, it is recommended to finish the dose prescribed by the doctor. Most people begin to feel better soon after they begin the medicine. Once the patient stops the medication on the way, the infection will reoccur again.These antibiotics are prescribed to the following form of people:
- Women who have recurrent UTIs
- Pregnant women who had recurrent UTIs before getting pregnant or during pregnancy.
- People who have spinal cord injuries or other nervous system conditions that affect urination.
- People who have had a kidney transplant.
- People who are going to have surgery involving the urinary tract.
However, the recent studies show that antibiotics reduce the number of recurrent UTIs but the type of treatment is said to be short acting.
When To Seek Medical Help:
You should seek medical advice if you are experiencing the symptoms of urinary tract infection, as mentioned above. You should revisit your doctor if your UTIs symptoms get worse. The worsening of symptoms might indicate the need for a change in the treatment plan. Immediate medical help should be sought if one or more of the following symptoms are experienced:
A urinary tract infection can spread to various other parts of your body, but timely treatment can prevent this. Therefore, you should visit a doctor as soon as you notice the symptoms of a urinary tract infection.1
You must not rely on home remedies alone for the treatment of UTIs. You should consult a qualified doctor for any advice if the condition does not improve with home remedies.
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What Are The Complications Of Untreated Utis In Women
If treated early, urinary tract infections do not cause complications. However, an untreated UTI can cause the following complications in women:
- Recurrent UTIs, especially in women who experience 2 or more UTIs in 6 months or 4 or more UTIs within a year
- Preterm delivery or low-birth-weight infant
- , especially if the infection spreads from the urinary tract to the kidneys
Do I Really Have To See A Doctor For A Uti
It may seem unnecessary to see a doctor for such a common illness. Why not just let it go and treat it on your own? Dr. Elizabeth Rice, a licensed naturopathic doctor and primary care physician at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, has tips for natural treatments, but says you always have to be careful. A partially treated or mistreated UTI can quickly become a serious condition known as pyelonephritis , so care must always be taken when treating UTIs naturally.
If youre just starting to feel or see potential UTI symptoms, you can try a few natural remedies to try to flush out the bacteria and reduce inflammation before the infection really takes hold, Rice says. Increase your intake of fluids to help flush the bladder. But if the symptoms persist more than a day, or get worse, you have to go to the doctor.
Going to the doctor may be a bit annoying, but a UTI that morphs into a kidney infection is way worse than an afternoon in the waiting room. Kidney infections can lead to potentially life-threatening sepsis or permanent kidney damage. Seeing a doctor to prescribe antibiotics may ultimately help you avoid a lifetime of medical complications.
You know your body best, so listen to it. You may not run to the doctor after one weird-feeling pee. If you start to have mild symptoms, here are a few natural choices that may help you out.
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