Can Kidney Infection Be Prevented
Most kidney infections are caused by germs travelling up from a bladder infection. So the same things that can help to reduce your chances of bladder infection should reduce your chances of kidney infection. Traditionally, people who got recurring urine infections were advised about measures such as drinking plenty of fluid and taking cranberry juice, and on the way that they wiped themselves after going to the toilet. However, there is little evidence for any of these measures and they are now not usually advised. Anything which increases your risk of urine infections which can be treated, should be treated. For example, any constipation should be treated promptly, as constipation can increase your chances of a bladder or kidney infection. See the separate leaflet called Constipation for more details. Doctors will try to treat anything else which might be contributing, such as kidney stones or an abnormality in the structure of the urinary system.
Pregnant women are regularly tested for urine infections and for germs in their urine. Even if they don’t have symptoms, if urine tests positive for germs, pregnant women are usually treated with antibiotics to prevent any complications.
In some cases people who have recurring urine infections are treated with a low dose of antibiotic continually. This may help to prevent recurrences and to prevent spread to the kidney.
What Else Can You Do When Antibiotics Fail
When it comes to the best treatment for recurrent chronic UTIs there are two main camps.
Some physicians prefer a long-term antibiotic treatment protocol, frequently prescribing a variety of antibiotics over the course of several months .
Others advocate for the mindful use of antibiotics and focus on correcting underlying dysbiosis as the main reason for recurrent UTIs. In fact, we are still learning about the human microbiome and the effect bacteria have on our health and it seems less and less probable that antibiotics alone could solve chronic issues.
Moreover, antibiotics were developed when we thought that a healthy bladder is sterile which we now know is far from the truth.
What is the best approach to cure a chronic UTI? Here is a selection of posts that can help you to get up to speed:
Who Can And Cannot Take Trimethoprim
Most adults and children can take trimethoprim.
Trimethoprim is not suitable for some people. To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you:
- have ever had an allergic reaction to trimethoprim or any other medicine
- have liver or kidney problems
- have porphyria or any other blood disorder
- are trying to get pregnant or are already pregnant
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What Are The Best Antibiotics For Sinus Infection Do Doctors Prescribe For You
There are many antibiotics that your doctor or physician may prescribe to help treat your sinus infection. Some of these may even be familiar to you.
These antibiotics are effective in treating sinus infection, however, these drugs do carry side effects. You should only be taken according to what your doctor or physician has prescribed. Always follow their instructions to achieve the best results.
Who Gets Urinary Tract Infections
Anyone can. But they’re more likely when you:
- Have had UTIs before
- Have a condition that affects your bladder’s nerves
- Have been through menopause
- Have something that blocks the passage of urine, such as a tumor, kidney stone, or an enlarged prostate
- Use a diaphragm or spermicide for birth control
- Have a catheter, a tube placed into the bladder to drain urine from the bladder into a bag outside the body
- Are a man who has sex with men, has HIV, or hasnât been circumcised
Most of these traits also raise the odds that a simple bladder infection may become a more serious kidney infection or turn into . For pregnant women, a kidney infection can lead to delivering a baby too early.
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Do You Need To See A Doctor To Get Antibiotics For A Uti
You need to speak with your doctor or a licensed medical professional to be prescribed antibiotics for a UTI. This can usually be done in person, at the doctor, or over the phone.
If this is your first UTI or your symptoms are severe it may be helpful to get treated in person to rule out the possibility of sexually transmitted infections.
What Is Levaquin Used For
Theres a whole army of different bacteria out there, and Levaquin is effective against many of them, including E. coli, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus. In fact, levofloxacin and its close relatives are commonly called respiratory fluoroquinolones because of their efficacy against Streptococcus pneumoniae in particular.
Most frequently, levofloxacin treats:
- Skin infections
- Sinus infections
Occasionally, healthcare providers will also prescribe levofloxacin for intra-abdominal infections, post-exposure anthrax, certain types of plague, and infectious diarrhea caused by an E. coli infection. Plus, it has shown some effectiveness in treating certain sexually transmitted diseases, specifically chlamydia.
However, the risk of Levaquins serious side effects isnt worth it for minor conditions. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration stated, fluoroquinolones should be reserved for use in patientswho have no alternative treatment options.
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Other Ways To Prevent Some Utis Coming Back
If you keep getting a bladder infection , there is some evidence it may be helpful to take:
- D-mannose a sugar you can buy as a powder or tablets to take every day
- cranberry products available as juice, tablets or capsules to take every day
Speak to your doctor before taking any of these during pregnancy.
Be aware that D-mannose and cranberry products can contain a lot of sugar.
If you’re taking warfarin, you should avoid cranberry products.
Page last reviewed: 22 March 2022 Next review due: 22 March 2025
Do Not Use Cefdinir For An Uncomplicated Uti
Since Cefdinir is a third generation drug, only use it if anything else fails. Ask for an alternative antibiotic, if this is your first or second UTI.
Also, ask your doctor to test your bacteria and see if they are susceptible to other antibiotics before agreeing to take Cefdinir for UTI
Thats because overusing such powerful drugs sets you up for antibiotic resistance. Unfortunately, the reason scientist must engineer newer and better antibiotics is because the old ones are no longer effective.
Think of Penicillin, the miracle drug of the 1940s, that saved countless lives by curing infections that modern medicine previously had no way of treating. Sadly, penicillin is rarely used today because the vast majority of infection-causing bacteria are resistant to it they have learned many tricks to block the effect of Penicillin.
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What Is A Uti
Before we talk about the antibiotics that treat UTIs, lets discuss what the medications are targeting.
Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, refer to a group of infections that can happen anywhere along the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladders, and urethra. Antibiotics are used to treat UTIs because bacteria often cause themEscherichia coli is the type of bacteria notoriously famous for causing most UTIs.
Most germs that cause these infections typically live on the skin in unharmful numbers, especially in areas like the vaginal folds. However, once in the urinary tract, they can multiply to unsafe colony numbers and cause symptoms .
UTI symptoms include: burning during urination, needing to pee frequently, lower abdominal pain or cramping, blood in your urine, and feeling the need to urinate even if you just went to the bathroom.
What Is A Sinus Infection
The sinuses are cavities in the head that are filled with air. These air-filled pockets are lined with a very thin layer of mucus that functions to collect particles from the air that are breathed in, such as dust, germs, or other particles.
Very small hair-like projections function to sweep the mucus, along with any particles trapped inside of the mucus. The germ- or dirt-filled mucus then slides down the back of the throat and into the stomach where stomach acid works to kill any germs.
When a sinus infection occurs, this natural process involving mucus flow is blocked.
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Can I Treat A Uti Without Antibiotics
UTI treatment without antibiotics is NOT usually recommended. An early UTI, such as a bladder infection , can worsen over time, leading to a more severe kidney infection . However, a small study has suggested early, mild UTIs might clear up on their own. It’s always best to check with your doctor if you are having UTI symptoms.
Pregnant women should always see a doctor as soon as possible if they suspect they might have a UTI, as this can lead to a greater risk of delivering a low birth weight or premature infant.
How Can You Tell If Your Uti Is A Kidney Infection Or A Bladder Infection
UTIs can cause the following symptoms:
-
Pain or burning when you pee
-
Pain, cramping, or discomfort in your lower pelvic area
-
Needing to pee more often than usual
-
Feeling like you need to go suddenly
-
Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
Sometimes the infection can travel to your kidneys, which causes additional symptoms. The following signs and symptoms may mean you have a kidney infection:
-
Pain in your back or side
Urine testing can help confirm the diagnosis. If you have any of the symptoms of UTI or kidney infection listed above, contact your healthcare provider as soon as you can. They can help you determine whats going on and what treatment is best for you.
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Is It Possible To Prevent Urinary Tract Infections With Diet And Supplements
It is possible to reduce the chance that a UTI will develop with dietary methods and some supplements but prevention of all UTIs is unlikely with these methods.
- Supplements such as eating cranberries, taking vitamin C tablets, and eating yogurt and other substances also may reduce the chance that a UTI will develop .
- However, as stated in the prevention section, changes in a person’s lifestyle may reduce the chance of getting a UTI as good as, if not better than, any diet or supplement.
What Are Possible Side Effects Of Macrobid
Macrobid may cause serious side effects, including:
- skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness
- agitation, confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior, seizures
- nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, clay-colored stools, jaundice or
- severe skin reaction fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.
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Which Antibiotic Should Be Used To Treat A Uti
There are multiple types of antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections . Different treatments may be recommended in different areas of the country based on regional patterns of antibiotic resistance.
Most patients with an uncomplicated UTI will begin treatment without any special diagnostic test, although a urinalysis may be performed by taking a urine sample. In a urinalysis, the chemical components of the urine are determined, and the doctor may look at urine color, clarity, and a view a sample under the microscope. A urine culture may be order, too, but is not always needed to start treatment. A urine culture can define the specific bacteria causing the UTI in more complicated cases or in the case of treatment failure.
Symptoms like burning and stinging while urinating will usually clear up in within one day after starting treatment. Be sure to finish your entire course of medication. If symptoms are still present after 2 to 3 days, contact your healthcare provider.
More extensive diagnostic procedures or imaging tests like an X-ray may be required if you continue to have frequent UTIs.
What Are Possible Complications Of A Urinary Tract Infection
Most UTIs cause no complications if they spontaneously resolve quickly or if treated early in the infection with appropriate medications. However, there are a number of complications that can occur if the UTI becomes chronic or rapidly advances.
- Chronic infections may result in urinary strictures, abscesses, fistulas, kidney stones, and, rarely, kidney damage or bladder cancer.
- The rapid advancement of UTIs can lead to dehydration, kidney failure, sepsis, and death.
- Pregnant females with untreated UTIs may develop premature delivery and low birth weight for the infant and run the risk of rapid advancement of the infection.
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What Causes A Uti
Urinary tract infections occur when bacteria enters through the urethra. The bacteria may take hold in theurethra or go into the bladder. If left unchecked, this bacteria could multiply and grow into a full-blowninfection. Women are more likely to develop urinary tract infections than men because they have shorterurethras.
What Is The Urinary Tract
The urinary tract makes and stores urine, one of the body’s liquid waste products. The urinary tract includes the following parts:
- Kidneys: These small organs are located on back of your body, just above the hips. They are the filters of your body removing waste and water from your blood. This waste becomes urine.
- Ureters: The ureters are thin tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to your bladder.
- Bladder: A sac-like container, the bladder stores your urine before it leaves the body.
- Urethra: This tube carries the urine from your bladder to the outside of the body.
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Most Common Bacteria That Cause Utis
Based on a study by The National Center for Biotechnology Information, the bacteria most commonly associated with causing UTIs are:
- Escherichia coli
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Based on the symptoms the patient is experiencing and before any testing is done to officially determine the infection type, the doctor prescribes first line antibiotics. For most UTIs, the prescribed antibiotic will cure the infection and not require any further testing.
Duration Of Antibiotic Treatment For Uti In Men
Usually, doctors prescribe antibiotics for 5-7 days to treat the infection properly. The treatment is prolonged when the case is complicated. A complicated case of UTI means that the underlying cause of infection is a disease or a medical condition. Such a disease can be enlargement of the prostate, kidney stones, etc. So, to treat the infection, the doctor has to treat the root cause of UTI once and for all. Mostly, the antibiotics go on for about 2 weeks in complicated cases.
In between the treatment, if the symptoms of UTI suddenly grow severe, consult your doctor right away. It can happen when medicine does not suit your body. Therefore, the doctor needs to change the antibiotic.
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Plan A Hospital Stay If Cefdinir Doesnt Work
Because physicians prescribe antibiotics, like Cefdinir too much, we now have to deal with mutants like ESBL E.coli .
ESBL E.coli is a monster resistant to even our strongest antibiotics, including Cefdinir and other beta-lactam antibiotics. This is happening already- there is a growing number of reports of humans dying from so-called superbugs resistant to all available antibiotics.
Cefdinir is often used to treat UTI in people who have been exposed to lots of antibiotics, and therefore have more resistant strains of bacteria, that arent quite super-bugs.
While Cefdinir should not be prescribed for your first UTI, remember that if youve used antibiotics for other reasons- like chronic sinus infections- you may already have resistant bugs in your system! Also, be aware of what you eat- reports suggest that chicken may be causing your resistant UTIs.
As you can imagine, Cefdinir is not fail-proof, since more and more E. coli are becoming resistant to it.
Currently, there are five generations of cephalosporins. Drugs that belong to 4th and 5th generations are be given intravenously.
Unfortunately, if Cefdinir doesnt work for you to cure UTI, next step is a hospital stay and invasive procedures.
Causes Of Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary Tract Infections occur when bacteria that are commonly found in the small and large intestines make their way up the urinary tract system, which includes the bladder, kidney, ureter, and urethra. The infection appears when bacteria use their flagellum hook, an arm like a tool, to latch onto one of these organs and cause biofilm to build up. The most common of these bacteria is E. Coli which makes up approximately 80% of all E. Coli cases.
Urinary Tract Infections are normally treated with antibiotics, which can clear most cases. However, it is when the bacteria called Gardnerella Vaginalis is present that recurrent UTI along with BV can develop.
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Other Tips That Can Help In Managing Uti In Males
- Drink at least 7-8 glasses of water every day. This helps in passing the toxins along with the urine.
- Drink cranberry juice without adding any extra sugar. Fresh cranberry juice removes the bacteria from the lining of the tract. These harmful bacteria get out of the body through urine.
- Have probiotic products such as yogurt. Probiotics promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut which kill the infection-causing bacteria.
- Increase your consumption of vitamin C. Especially, citrus fruits are a rich source of vitamin C. Apart from citrus fruits, oranges, kiwi, and red peppers contain high amounts of vitamin C .
- Maintain proper hygiene of your genital area and follow good bathroom habits.
- Make sure that you do not hold the urge to pass urine for long as it increases the chances of UTI.
- You can also take the help of natural supplements of garlic and cranberry.
These are some simple yet effective tips that will allow you to get rid of UTI faster. Dont forget to discuss them once with your doctor, so that you receive the right treatment.
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