Urinary tract infections can be extremely uncomfortable, so it is little wonder that people suffering with them are eager to get rid of the infection fast. Prompt, quick treatment is also important to prevent the UTI from developing into a more serious condition. UTIs sometimes get better on their own within four of five days, and there are several home treatments you can try, but it is strongly recommended that you get professional medical treatment for the fastest and most thorough treatment.[1]
EditSteps
EditSeeking Medical Treatment for a UTI
- Recognize the symptoms. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is very common, but can be unpleasant and very uncomfortable. UTIs are an infection of your upper urinary tract (kidney and ureters), lower urinary tract (bladder and urethra), or both.[2]
- If you develop a UTI you will likely feel a burning sensation when you urinate as well as a need to urinate often.
- You may also feel pain in your lower abdomen.[3]
- Know the different symptoms for an upper or lower urinary tract infection. There are different symptoms for the different infections. It can be useful to think about your symptoms so you can explain them clearly if you need to go to the doctor. Symptoms of lower UTIs include: needing to urinate more often, cloudy or bloody urine, back pain, very unpleasant smelling urine, and generally feeling unwell.[4]
- If you have an upper UTI you may experience a high temperature (over 38 degrees C, or 100 Fahrenheit).
- You may also be nauseous, and shiver uncontrollably.
- Other symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea.[5]
- Know when to seek medical treatment. 25-40%of mild UTIs will spontaneously resolve, but that still leaves more than half who could be putting themselves at risk for a complication by not seeking medical care. Make an appointment with your doctor straight away if you are experiencing a UTI and you develop a high temperature or your symptoms suddenly get worse.[6]
- If you are pregnant or diabetic you should contact your doctor immediately.
- Going to see a doctor will enable you to get a clear diagnosis. What you think is a UTI could be a yeast infection or something else.[7]
- Your doctor will likely have you take a urine test to determine if you have a UTI and what bacteria might be causing it.[8] These cultures usually take 48 hours to complete.
- Take a course of antibiotics. UTIs are bacterial infections, and as such, doctor prescribed antibiotics are the most thorough, most recommended treatment to consider. Antibiotics are particularly recommended for women who suffer frequent UTIs. Longer-term courses of antibiotics can help prevent the infection recurring.[9]
- Antibiotics typically prescribed to treat a UTI are nitrofurantoin (branded as Furadantin, Macrobid, or Macrodantin), and sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim (branded as Bactrim, or Septra).[10]However, ciprofloxacin (known as Cipro), fosfomycin (known as Monurol) and levofloxacin (known as Levaquin) are also prescribed[11].
- In addition to antibiotics, AZO is an over the counter bladder analgesic that can help.
- Complete the course of antibiotics. Take a one- to seven-day course of antibiotics, with your doctor's prescription and advice. Most women are put on a 3 to 5 day antibiotic. Men might be put on an antibiotic for 7 to 14 days. While symptoms usually clear up around three days after antibiotic treatment, it can take up to five days for all the bacteria in your urinary tract to die off.[12] It may take even longer for men.
- It is vital that you finish all of the antibiotics that your doctor prescribes, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- If you stop taking your antibiotics before the course is over, you’re not allowing the antibiotics to completely kill the bacteria.[13]
- If your symptoms continue after you have taken all your antibiotics, or you don’t feel any better after a few days, contact your doctor again.[14]
- Be aware of potential complications. There are potentially serious complications from a severe UTI, which could lead to kidney failure or blood poisoning. These are not common, and they normally only affect people with a pre-existing health problem, such as diabetes. If you have a weakened immune system you are more susceptible to complications and infections.[15]
- Pregnant women with UTIs are at risk for life threatening complications and should always be examined by a physician.
- Men who have recurrent UTIs are at risk of developing inflammation of the prostate, known as prostatitis.[16]
- You may require hospital treatment for a severe upper UTI, or if there are complications.
- This will still involve antibiotics, but you will be closely monitored and perhaps put on a drip to keep you hydrated.[17]
EditAlleviating a UTI at Home
- Drink plenty of water. Antibiotics are the only way to really treat a UTI, but given that they often pass in a few days, there are things you can do to help ease the symptoms and make it less likely for the infection to recur. The most straightforward of these is just to drink plenty of water throughout the day, approximately a glass every hour.[18]
- When you urinate your bladder is cleansed and this can help flush out bacteria.[19]
- Do not hold in your urine. Holding in your urine can cause the UTI to get worse, by encouraging the bacteria to breed.
- Try some cranberry juice. Drinking cranberry juice is often cited as a home remedy for a UTI. While there is little evidence that cranberry juice can actually fight an infection, it may help prevent one.[20] If you have recurring UTIs try taking higher-strength cranberry capsules.[21] As with water, drinking plenty of fluids helps you to flush out and cleanse your system.
- Do not take cranberry juice if you or your family has a history of kidney infection.
- You should not take cranberry juice capsules if you are taking blood thinning medication.[22]
- There is no medically specified dose of cranberry juice to take, as its effectiveness is not proven.[23]
- One study found positive results for women who took either one tablet of concentrated cranberry juice a day, or drank 8oz of unsweetened cranberry juice three times a day for a year.[24]
- Take vitamin C supplements. Taking vitamin C supplements when you first start to feel the symptoms of a UTI can help to limit a developing infection. The vitamin C helps to acidify the urine, which discourages the bacteria from colonizing your bladder, while strengthening your body’s immune defences.[25]
- Try a 500mg dose every hour, but stop if your bowel movements become loose.[26]
- You can combine vitamin C supplements with mild anti-inflammatory teas, such as goldenseal, echinacea, and nettle.
- If the symptoms persist after a few days, go to doctor regardless.
- Avoid consuming irritants. There are certain things you consume which can be irritants, the effects of which are heightened when you have a UTI. The two biggest culprits to avoid are coffee and alcohol. Not only are they irritants, but they also dehydrate you which can make it more difficult to flush the bacteria from your urinary tract.[27]
- You should also avoid soft drinks that contain citrus juices until after your UTI has cleared.[28]
- Restricting caffeine and alcohol in your diet can also be used as a preventative measure against future UTIs if you are susceptible to these infections.
EditStaying Hygienic and Healthy
- Maintain excellent urinary hygiene. While proper hygiene is generally considered a preventative measure against urinary tract infections, it is also an essential part of getting rid of the infection sooner. The more you can incorporate healthy and hygienic practices, the better off you will be[29]
- Wipe from the front to the back after using the bathroom. This is especially important for women, who should always wipe from front to back.[30]
- Clean before and after sex. Sexual intercourse is one of the ways in which bacteria can be introduced to a woman’s urethra, eventually ending up in the bladder.[31] In order to help prevent this, the genital and anal areas should be cleaned before and after sexual activity. Women should also urinate before and after sexual activity. Avoid body lotions and Massage oils as a lubricant unless it says it's safe. These have chemicals that can lead to an infection.
- Wear the right clothing. Certain clothes can make it more difficult to get rid of your UTI. Tight-fitting underwear which is made of non-breathable materials can enable a moist and bacteria-friendly environment to develop adjacent to the bladder. For these reasons, go for cotton underwear, rather than non-absorbent fabrics like nylon.[34]
- Avoid tight-fitting pants or shorts. Tight garments can cause sweat and moisture to build up, creating an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
- Wearing the right underwear can help prevent infections developing or worsening, but it won’t cure them.
EditVideo
EditTips
- Don't have sexual intercourse while treating a UTI. You might introduce new bacteria and reduce the likelihood of complete recovery.
- Drink lots of water, take medicine prescribed by your doctor.
- Take some Ibuprofen to help with pain, while you are taking all the remedies.
- Do not use lotions or massage oils as a lubricant unless it specifically says it can be used. Chemicals in some of these products can cause a UTI.
- Get lots of rest as well and drink plenty of water.
- Use a heating pad to minimize discomfort. While this will not get rid of the UTI, it may help ease your symptoms. The heating pad should be warm, but not hot, and you should apply it to your lower abdomen to relieve pressure, pain, and other discomfort associated with urinary tract infections.
- Do not consume cranberry or take antibiotics - it will temporarily help, but will make you worse! Drink 8oz of water with a tablespoon of baking soda, then 8 oz of lemon water every hour. This will immediately soothe bladder pain.
EditWarnings
- Taking cranberry daily as a preventative measure is very effective, but exercise caution when consuming cranberry juice with an active infection.
- Because cranberry juice is very acidic, it can actually worsen an existing UTI. Acidic foods and drinks can irritate the already inflamed bladder.
- If you do not notice a dramatic improvement in your symptoms after 24 to 36 hours of home treatment, you need to seek out professional medical help.
- Even uncomplicated UTIs can develop into fatal kidney infections if allowed to fester for too long.
- If home treatment does seem to work, you should still consider having a professional urine test taken to double-check for remaining bacteria.
EditThings You'll Need
- Cranberry juice
- Water
- Vitamin C
- Goldenseal, echinacea, and nettle supplements
- Cotton undergarments
- Loose-fitting pants or bottoms
- Antibiotics
EditRelated wikiHows
- Treat a Urinary Tract Infection
- Do a Kidney Cleansing Fast
- Treat a Bladder Infection
- Heal a Urinary Tract Infection Naturally
EditSources and Citations
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