UTI or urinary tract infection can happen to anyone at any age, though it is widely prevalent in women. Treatments for UTI depend on the cause of infection, which is known from the results of the urine culture. Your doctor will prescribe a treatment that will work against the bacteria causing the infection. To relieve the symptoms of UTI, the treatment options listed below are available:
Antibiotics for uncomplicated UTI
In the case of lower tract UTI, oral antibiotics are ideal treatments for UTI, which are given on a short-term basis. These antibiotics are made to kill the bacteria that cause the infection. A bacterium known as Escherichia coli is responsible for the occurrence of most UTIs in women. It is essential to treat UTI to prevent a minor UTI from turning a serious kidney or blood infection. Over-the-counter antibiotics are not advisable, and visiting a doctor to get symptoms evaluated is the right thing to do for the treatment of UTI. Some of the commonly used antibiotics prescribed by the doctor are:
- Ceftriaxone
- Cephalexin
- Ciprofloxacin
- Fosfomycin
- Levofloxacin
- Nitrofurantoin
- Trimethoprim
All of them help cure the infection, but there can be some potential side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Your doctor will choose the right antibiotic depending on the type of bacteria, your medical history, and age. The duration of the course of antibiotics may range from two to three days, or sometimes it can be for 10 days. The treatments for UTI include completing the whole course of antibiotics, even if you start feeling better in just a few days. The full antibiotic course should be followed to ensure that all the bacteria in the urinary tract are killed.
Intravenous antibiotic for complicated UTI
A narrowing of the urethra or a blockage like a kidney stone or an enlarged prostate in men is the cause of complicated UTI infections. Also, if medication is stopped early or UTI is not treated, it can lead to kidney infections, making it a case of complicated UTI. Upper tract UTI requires hospitalization, where high-dose antibiotics are put directly into the veins as well as a course of antibiotic is followed.
For people who have frequent UTIs, which means three or more in a year, the treatment may include-
- Long-term low dose antibiotics to prevent repeated infections
- A single dose antibiotic each time after intercourse as a preventive measure
- A course of antibiotics given in advance to be taken at the first signs of UTI
- A pain-relieving medication to ease discomfort may be prescribed by the doctor
Therefore, the method of treatment for different types of UTI is different. Treatments for UTI will also include drinking plenty of fluids and making certain lifestyle changes. If you think you are experiencing any symptoms of UTI, get in touch with the doctor to discuss the treatment options.
