Living With Urinary Tract Infections
If you have 3 or more urinary tract infections each year, your doctor may want you to begin a preventive antibiotic program. A small dose of an antibiotic taken every day helps to reduce the number of infections. If sexual intercourse seems to cause infections for you, your doctor many suggest taking the antibiotic after intercourse.
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What Is A Urinary Tract Infection In Toddlers
A UTI is an infection in your childs urinary tract which includes their kidneys, the ureters that connect them to the bladder and the urethra where urine exits their body. Bacteria get into their urinary tract through the skin around their rectum and genitals or through the bloodstream from any part of their body .
Because it may not be obvious when a child has an infection, especially if theyre too young to voice their symptoms, UTIs in children sometimes go unnoticed. Urinary tract infections need to be treated immediately to prevent the infection from spreading and damaging the kidneys.
My Veterinarian Sent A Sample Of Urine To A Laboratory For A Culture And Sensitivity Test What Is This
All urinary tract infections are NOT created equal! Even though the most common organism to cause UTIs in dogs is Escherichia coli , there are several other organisms that may be involved. The only way to identify which specific bacteria is to blame, is to grow it in a laboratory. At the same time, the lab can also test which antibiotic is best suited to treat the infection.
Often, a veterinarian will prescribe an antibiotic that is among the most commonly used for treating UTIs in order to try to provide immediate relief to the dog. Pain medication may also be prescribed , and a diet change may be recommended.
Once the culture and sensitivity results are received, an appropriate antibiotic will be prescribed. After the course of antibiotics is given, it is important to recheck the urinalysis to confirm that the infection is resolved. If it is not, then it will be important to investigate additional issues that may contribute to a persistent UTI.
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Antibiotics For Kidney Infection
Curing kidney infections always need you to take an antibiotic for kidney infection to prevent bacteria from multiplying. Clinically referred to as pyelonephritis, kidney infections are an outcome of germs entering the kidneys, the majority of frequently from a pre-existing infection in the urinary tract like a bladder infection. Depending upon the intensity of the infection and kind of bacteria, different types of kidney infection antibiotics are used as the first line of defense. Comprehend what a kidney infection is and find out about the different types of nonprescription medicine for kidney infections below.
What If I Have Frequent Recurring Utis
Within a year of havig a UTI infection, roughy one-quarter to one-half of women will have another UTI. For these women antibiotic prophylaxis may be recommended by her health care provider. With a recurrent course of UTIs, a urine culture or imaging tests may be required for further analysis.
For recurrent UTIs, there are several antibiotic options for prevention:
- A shorter course of antibiotics at the first sign of UTI symptoms a prescription may be given to you to keep at home.
- A longer course of low-dose antibiotic therapy.
- Take a single dose of an antibiotic after sexual intercourse.
The choice of antibiotic is based on previous UTIs, effectiveness, and patient-specific factors such as allergies and cost. Antibiotics commonly used for recurrent UTIs can include sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, nitrofurantoin, cefaclor, or cephalexin.
In postmenopausal women with vaginal dryness that may be leading to recurrent UTIs, vaginal estrogen may be an effective treatment. Treatment options your doctor might recommend include: Estring, Vagifem , or vaginal estrogen creams .
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How Long Should A Dog Be On Antibiotics
If youre wondering, how long do antibiotics take to work on a dog? It depends on the type of infection. As weve said above, its always best to follow your veterinarians directions. And if your dog doesnt seem to be improving after a week or so, you may want to contact your veterinarian to see if theres a more effective antibiotic available.
Why Asymptomatic Bacteriuria Usually Doesnt Warrant Antibiotics
Clinical studies overwhelming find that in most people, treating asymptomatic bacteriuria with antibiotics does not improve health outcomes.
A 2015 clinical research study found that treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in women was associated with a much higher chance of developing a UTI later on, and that these UTIs were more likely to involve antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Even for frail nursing home residents, there is no proof that treating asymptomatic bacteriuria improves outcomes, but it does increase the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Despite the expert consensus that this condition doesnt warrant antibiotics, inappropriate treatment remains very common. A 2014 review article on this topic notes overtreatment rates of up to 83% in nursing homes.
Is there a role for cranberry to treat or manage urine bacteria?
The use of cranberry juice or extract to prevent UTIs has been promoted by certain advocates over the years, and many patients do prefer a natural approach when one is possible.
However, top quality clinical research has not been able to prove that cranberry is effective for this purpose. In a 2016 study of older women in nursing homes, half were given cranberry capsules daily. But this made no difference in the amount of bacteria or white blood cells in their urine.
A 2012 systematic review of high-quality research studies of cranberry for UTI prevention also concluded that cranberry products did not appear to be effective.
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What Happens If Your Dogs Urinary Tract Infection Goes Untreated
In addition to pyelonephritis as mentioned earlier, if a bladder infection goes undiagnosed and untreated, a dog can develop struvite bladder stones. Not all bladder stones are related to infection. However, this specific typewhich are quite common in dogsare directly correlated to an infection in the bladder.
Bladder stones can then predispose your dog to more UTIs, and the cycle continues. In addition, they are quite uncomfortable for your dog.
Imagine having a handful of rocks bouncing around in your bladder. It probably wouldnt feel so good! Finally, a small bladder stone can also get stuck in the urethra. When this happens, your dog may be unable to urinate, which is a medical emergency.
What Can I Do To Avoid Getting A Uti In The First Place
Women are more susceptible to U.T.I.s, as they are commonly known, owing to the way these germs infect: They often travel through fecal residue from the rectum to the urethra this can happen through sex or poor bathroom hygiene. Even taking great care does not make them entirely avoidable.
Here are some steps that can help prevent urinary tract infections: Drink plenty of fluids, which helps flush out the bladder. Empty your bladder after sexual intercourse. Practice good bathroom hygiene, which, simply put, means wiping from front to back.
During the reproductive years, women are as much as 50 times more likely than men to get a U.T.I. However, those numbers even out significantly in an aging population because men wind up getting surgical procedures, or have bowel control issues, that might lead to the same spread of germs from gut and rectum to the urinary tract.
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The Risks Of Prophylactic Antibiotics
Melissa Okay so that was more on the the long term high dose antibiotics but what about prophylactic doses so low doses that are just used preventatively either after sex or on a daily basis or after other triggers?
Ruth: I have had a number of patients who have been put on those protocols and pretty universally they say it helped for some period of months and then it quit working. And the reason it quit working is because you have successfully given your bacteria enough exposure to a sub-therapeutic dose of an antibiotic that it now has developed drug resistance.
So I think its important that just like they advocate that you take a full course of an antibiotic for other infections such as sinus infections or throat infections or kids and ear infections, lest you produce drug resistant strains, that the same principle applies to bladder infections.
You want to take a full course of a therapeutic level and so to do sub-therapeutic quote-unquote prophylactic dosages doesnt make sense to me. Because number one, you dont know what youre treating and number two youre ensuring that you will get drug-resistant strains.
Monitoring Response To Therapy
Patients with a simple, uncomplicated UTI may not require rigorous monitoring. However, patients with complicated, relapsing, or recurrent infections should be monitored very closely. The following protocol is recommended to monitor response to therapy in patients with relapsing, recurrent, or refractory UTI.3
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First Line Antibiotics For A Uti
- Ampicillin
- Nitrofurantoin
- Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
Notably absent from the list of antibiotics prescribed for the treatment of UTIs is Amoxicillin. While very popular and useful in treating numerous other bacterial infections, urinary tract infections are not amongst the infections Amoxicillin is used for.
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When To See A Doctor For A Uti
See your primary care physician when you experience symptoms of UTIs. UTIs are treatable with prescription antibiotics. Your doctor can determine if you have a UTI by performing one or more of the following:
- Medical history review
- Physical examination
- Urinalysis a urine sample is collected and analyzed in lab tests
For UTIs that keeps returning despite antibiotics, your doctor may perform other tests to examine the structure of the urinary tract:
- Cystoscopy a thin tube with a viewing device is placed through the urethra to perform an internal examination.
- Kidney and bladder ultrasound these use sound waves to produce images of the bladder and kidneys. This test can be used to check for kidney stones, blockages or a tumor.
- Intravenous pyelogram this refers to X-rays of the ureters, bladder, and kidney with the aid of a contrast dye. This test can reveal tumors, kidney stones, or blockages.
The following conditions are related to UTIs:
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Can Apple Cider Vinegar Cure Uti In Cats
Apple cider vinegar is an excellent remedy option for urinary tract infections in cats. It can be used to create proper pH balance in your cats urine and maintain it, which works to get rid of bacteria. Reduced bacteria will allow your cats urinary tract to naturally heal and stay healthy afterward.
Symptoms Of Utis And Kidney Infections
While UTIs and kidney infections are related, they can have different symptoms. Not all of these symptoms happen every time, and they may show up at different times. Your symptoms might begin suddenly. Some of these may simply be early warnings.
You may have an uncomplicated urinary tract infection if you start experiencing some or all of the following symptoms:
- Pain or a burning feeling when you urinate
- Sudden urge to urinate more often than normal, especially at night
- Irritable and refuses to feed.
- Wetting themselves or the bed, even if potty-trained.
If you have a kidney infection, you may notice one or more of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Urinating more often than usual
- An urgent need to urinate, even if you just went
- Pain or burning sensation when urinating
- Pus or blood in your urine
- Cloudy or bad-smelling pee
It is important that you call your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms.
If you are currently taking medication to treat a UTI and you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor as soon as possible.
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How Are Most Utis Diagnosed
There are several ways that your physician can diagnose a UTI. To provide the best antibiotic treatment for UTI, he or she needs to determine the location of the infection and whether your UTI is complicated. He or she also needs to rule out other conditions that present similarly to UTI, such as vaginitis or certain sexually transmitted diseases.
Most UTIs are diagnosed via urine test. In some instances, your healthcare provider may also order blood cultures and a complete blood count. These test results will confirm the type of bacteria, virus or fungus thats causing the infection.
Bacteria is to blame for the vast majority of UTIs, and theyre treated using a wide range of antibiotics. In rarer cases, where a virus is behind the infection, antivirals such as cidofovir are prescribed. Fungal UTIs are treated with antifungals.
How Long Should I Take Antibiotics
Your doctor will let you know. Typically, for an uncomplicated infection, you’ll take antibiotics for 2 to 3 days. Some people will need to take these medicines for up to 7 to 10 days.
For a complicated infection, you might need to take antibiotics for 14 days or more.
If you still have symptoms after completing antibiotics, a follow-up urine test can show whether the germs are gone. If you still have an infection, you’ll need to take antibiotics for a longer period of time.
If you get UTIs often, you may need a prolonged course of antibiotics. And if sex causes your UTIs, you’ll take a dose of the medicine right before you have sex. You can also take antibiotics whenever you get a new UTI if youâre having symptoms and a positive urine culture.
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The Limitations Of Compounded Antibiotic Bladder Instillations
Melissa I imagine for some people its difficult to hold the instillation in their bladder when they have urgency, frequency symptoms. Is it still helpful if they can just hold it for a little bit of time? Whats the ideal amount of time to hold it in?
Ruth: Longer is better. I have many patients who cant hold it very long but as we reduce the amount of infection and get the bladder wall to start healing they become more successful holding it for more periods of time.
This is done twice a day, so of course in the morning when youre drinking and you have more fluid in your bladder you dont hold it as long as you can overnight. Many patients may make it three to four hours or even sometimes all night long and the more you can get the antibiotic to have come in contact with the bladder wall of course its going to work better.
Melissa Is this a type of treatment approach that a patient can ask their own doctor to work with the compounding pharmacy on and access?
Ruth: A little bit harder at this point in time. The compounding pharmacy that I work with has determined what concentration of antibiotic is appropriate for the bladder wall tissue and that isnt information that most compounding pharmacies have access to. And likewise, this is sterile compounding which many compounding pharmacies arent equipped to do.
Melissa So they really need to work with a specialist compounding pharmacist that has this experience.
Can Home Remedies Quickly Treat A Uti
As resistance to antibiotics is becoming more common, many people are looking for ways to avoid using them. While this can be a good thing in some cases, it can draw out your illness in other instances.
The most commonly asked about home remedy for UTIs is cranberry. Drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry tablets has been long-touted as a natural alternative for treating UTIs. The thought is that cranberry makes your urine more acidic which, in turn, kills the bacteria causing your infection.
Unfortunately, cranberry does not treat UTIs very well. On the flip side, though, it can be useful for helping to prevent infections if youre prone to them. This seems to also be the case for other acidic fruits like lemon. Just be sure if youre going to try this for preventing future UTIs that you drink unsweetened juice, as sugar actually helps bacteria to grow.
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How To Care For Your Pet During Antibiotic Treatment
Antibiotics, despite their bad side effects , can be an important tool in helping your pet fight deadly diseases. Fortunately, there are certain things you can do to help your dog during and after antibiotic therapy to help them get better.
- S boulardii, a yeast-based probiotic
Saccharomyces boulardii, or S boulardii for short, is a unique probiotic that differs from most others in that it is a yeast strain rather than a bacteria strain.
S boulardii, unlike many bacterial probiotics, is exceptionally resistant to drugs: yeasts are unaffected by antibiotics, thus a yeast-based probiotic like S boulardii is nevertheless highly helpful for pets who need antibiotic treatment.
Furthermore, S boulardii easily pass through stomach acid, arriving in the intestines whole and alive, whereas many bacterial probiotics immediately perish when exposed to stomach acid.
Antibiotics destroy many bacterial probiotics because they cant tell the difference between good and bad bacteria.
Antibiotics have no effect on S boulardii because it is yeast. In fact, studies have indicated that administering S boulardii along with an antibiotic reduces the likelihood of pets developing diarrhea during or after the antibiotic treatment.
If your pet refuses to eat, do not force them to instead, wait a few hours and try again.
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