When bacteria causes an infection in your urinary tract, it results in a urine infection. Common symptoms are burning or pain with urination, frequent urination, abdominal or back pain, fever, dark urine, or blood in the urine. If you are experiencing symptoms of a urinary infection, it is important that you are evaluated by your physician so that you can receive the appropriate treatment plan for you.
Antibiotics
When you visit your doctor, she will test your urine. There are different antibiotics available to treat the bacteria causing the infection. Follow the instructions your doctor gives you for the antibiotics. Depending on how severe your symptoms are, how often you get urinary tract infections and other circumstances, the course of antibiotics can be from three to seven days or longer. It is important that you follow the instructions that your doctor gives you for the antibiotic, so that your infection will clear up.
Fluids
Drinking a lot of fluids helps to flush the bacteria out while you have a urinary infection. In addition, it helps to prevent them from returing. Drink six to eight glasses a day of noncaffeinated, nonalcoholic beverages. Water or cranberry juice are grood choices if you have a urinary infection. The National Institute of Urologic Diseases Clearinghouse reports that cranberry juice makes the walls of the urinary tract slippery, which makes it difficult for the bacteria to stick. Drinking fluids is important for maintaining your urinary tract health.
Hygiene
Females are more susceptible to urinary infections because the entrance to the urinary tract is so close to the rectal area and E.coli, the most prevalent bacteria that causes a urinary infection, can be found in the feces. After going to the bathroom, women should cleanse themselves from front to back to minimize the contamination of the urinary tract. In addition, urinating after having sex helps to flush out bacteria that may have entered during intercourse. These healthy habits can prevent recurrence of an infection.
More Severe Cases
According to MedlinePlus, doctors sometimes prescribe a low-dose antibiotic for women who have recurrent infections. In severe cases, or when patients affected by urinary tract infections have other medical conditions, they may be admitted to the hospital to receive intravenous antibiotics and fluids.
