Urology

 

Urological Conditions

Urinary Tract

Treatment for Urinary Tract Infection

Normally, UTIs are treated with oral antibiotics (medicine taken by mouth). Of course, the specific drug, dosage, and length of time it should be taken depend on the type and severity of the infection. But in all cases, it’s extremely important that all the prescribed medicine is taken, even if the symptoms seem to go away. Absence of apparent symptoms does not guarantee the infection is fully cured.

More severe UTIs may require injecting the antibiotics. This is especially true for pyelonephritis (kidney infection). In some cases, hospitalization and use of an IV line (intravenous injection) may be necessary.

People with recurrent UTIs may need a longer course of antibiotic treatment or an exam to see if urologic abnormalities are causing them.

In addition, anyone with a UTI should avoid coffee, alcohol, and spicy foods and drink water as often as possible to help cleanse the urinary tract of bacteria. (And one of the best things a smoker can do for his or her bladder is to quit smoking. Smoking is the major known cause of bladder cancer.)