Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are a common condition, affecting millions of men and women each year.
The urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, serves as your body’s plumbing system for wee. When bacteria, typically from your digestive system, find their way into this tract and start multiplying, they can trigger an infection.
Sometimes even the best prevention methods aren’t enough to keep a UTI at bay, but thankfully there are treatments that work quickly and effectively.
If you think you might have a UTI, don’t wait to see your doctor. Book an online consultation with a pharmacist to get the care and treatment you need.
How to treat a UTI at home?
If you’re suffering from a UTI, don’t worry you’re not alone. They’re not usually anything serious if you start treating it as soon as possible.
Here are some ways you can start feeling better sooner:
- Drink plenty of water to flush bacteria out of your urinary tract
- Take low strength painkillers like ibuprofen and paracetamol to reduce pain and fever
- Wee as soon as you feel the urge to go
- Apply a warm compress to your lower abdomen to soothe pain and discomfort
- Drink unsweetened cranberry juice, or take a cranberry supplement
- Eat foods rich in probiotics or take probiotic supplements
What antibiotics are used for UTI?
When you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), antibiotics are essential to fight the bacteria causing it. But it’s important to get the right advice from someone who knows – like your pharmacist.
Your pharmacist can give you a proper diagnosis and give you the right antibiotic to treat your UTI effectively.
Commonly prescribed antibiotics for UTIs include:
- Trimethoprim
- Nitrofurantoin
- Cefalexin
- Cefradine
If your pharmacist gives you antibiotics for your UTI, make sure you take them exactly as they tell you.
This means taking the right amount at the right times until you finish them all. It’s important not to stop early, even if you start feeling better.
Don’t try to treat the infection yourself or use old antibiotics you have lying around. This can make the infection worse and even make it harder to treat in the future.
What happens if UTI goes untreated?
If left untreated, a UTI can spread to your kidneys, causing a more severe infection called pyelonephritis. This condition can result in high fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and back pain. Pyelonephritis may require hospitalisation and intravenous antibiotics for treatment.
Additionally, untreated UTIs can increase your risk of recurrent infections. Bacteria that cause UTIs can become resistant to antibiotics, making future infections more difficult to treat.
If you think you have a UTI, consult your pharmacist as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment. Starting treatment early can help prevent complications and make it easier to resolve the infection.
Frequently asked questions about UTIs
How to cure UTI at home?
To cure UTIs at home, drink plenty of water, try unsweetened cranberry juice, use heat pads, and take OTC painkillers like ibuprofen.
How to cure a UTI without antibiotics?
To cure UTIs without antibiotics, drink lots of water, try cranberry supplements, use probiotics, and manage symptoms with painkillers.
What to take for UTI infection?
For UTI infections, take prescribed antibiotics along with cranberry supplements, D-mannose, probiotics, and painkillers like ibuprofen as needed.
