Treatment options for urinary tract infection
Treatment options for urinary tract infection
Review Date: 12-14-2006
Reviewed By: David Slotnick, M.D.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are typically treated with antibiotics, which kill the bacteria causing the infection. Treatment may vary in duration (e.g., three to 10 days) and type of antibiotic prescribed, depending on the patient’s medical history, severity of the infection, and type of bacteria involved.
In addition to taking the prescribed medication, patients may be advised to increase daily fluid intake to help flush any remaining bacteria from the urinary tract. However, some physicians believe this may dilute the medication, making it less effective. No available research has explored this issue.
Patients with UTIs who use a urinary catheter should receive a new catheter and drainage tube prior to beginning antibiotic treatment. Failing to do so puts the patient at risk for reinfection after they have completed their course of antibiotics because bacteria may congregate and grow on the internal surface of the catheter and tubing.
In severe cases, where infection has spread to the kidneys, patients may be hospitalized to receive antibiotic medications intravenously. These patients may need to have their condition monitored by hospital staff to ensure infection does not spread to the bloodstream.
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