Exams and Tests. Most of the time, you will need to provide a urine sample for the following tests: Urinalysis -- This test is done to look for white blood cells, red blood cells, bacteria, and to test chemicals such as nitrites in the urine. This test can diagnose an infection most of the time. Clean-catch urine culture -- This test may be done to identify the bacteria and determine the best antibiotic for treatment.
You may also need the following tests to help rule out other problems in your urinary system: CT scan of the abdomen Intravenous pyelogram IVP Kidney scan Kidney ultrasound Voiding cystourethrogram. For a simple bladder infection, you will take antibiotics for 3 days women or 7 to 14 days men. If you are pregnant or have diabetes, or have a mild kidney infection, you will most often take antibiotics for 7 to 14 days. Finish all of the antibiotics, even if you feel better.
If you do not finish the whole dose of medicine, the infection may return and be harder to treat later. Always drink plenty of water when you have a bladder or kidney infection. Tell your provider if you might be pregnant before taking these drugs.
Your provider may suggest that you: Take a single dose of an antibiotic after sexual contact to prevent an infection. Have a 3-day course of antibiotics at home to use if you develop an infection.
Take a single, daily dose of an antibiotic to prevent infections. You may also be admitted to the hospital if you: Are an older adult Have kidney stones or changes in the anatomy of your urinary tract Have recently had urinary tract surgery Have cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, or other medical problems Are pregnant and have a fever or are otherwise ill At the hospital, you will receive fluids and antibiotics through a vein.
Outlook Prognosis. Early signs and symptoms, when the infection is impacting the bladder, generally involve discomfort, pain, or a burning sensation when urinating. Often this discomfort is accompanied by the frequent or urgent need to urinate.
Urine may appear cloudy, have blood present, or have a strong odor. Should a UTI become more advanced and spread to the kidneys, symptoms may be more severe. Severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting may also present. A healthcare provider will first perform tests to identify the type of UTI the patient is believed to have. This typically will involve taking urine samples to look for bacteria, red blood cells, white blood cells, and to test chemicals in the urine such as nitrites.
Sobel JD, Brown P. Urinary tract infections. Updated by: John D. Editorial team. Urinary tract infection in women - self-care. What to Expect at Home. Common symptoms include: Bad urine odor Pain or burning when you urinate Needing to urinate more often Hard to empty your bladder all the way Strong need to empty your bladder These symptoms should improve soon after you begin taking antibiotics. Taking Your Medicines. You will be given antibiotics to be taken by mouth at home.
You may need to take antibiotics for only 3 days, or for up to 7 to 14 days. You should take all of the antibiotics, even if you feel better. If you do not finish all of your antibiotics, the infection could return and may be harder to treat.
Make sure your provider knows if you could be pregnant before starting the antibiotics. Your provider may also give you a drug to relieve the burning pain and urgent need to urinate. Your urine will have an orange or red color to it when you are taking this drug. Even worse: Those bacteria could multiply and create a new infection—one that's harder to treat and could end up lasting longer.
So, take all the antibiotics your doctor recommends, just to be safe. Complicated UTIs can last a couple of weeks. According to the American Urological Association , a number of different factors can determine if a UTI is complicated, including:.
If you've got a complicated UTI, you'll need treatment with a longer course of oral antibiotics, and potentially intravenous antibiotics, as well, per the AUA.
But while treatment will last 14 days, you'll probably feel better much sooner. If the bacteria from a bladder infection make their way up to your kidneys, you've got a more serious situation. A kidney infection or pyelonephritis can take up to 14 days to resolve with treatment, says AUA.
Unlike a simple bladder infection, a kidney infection's not going to resolve on its own. You'll need a longer course of antibiotics, often through an IV for a couple of days before switching to an oral version, AUA explains.
These are red flags to get care right away. This type of UTI can cause permanent damage to your kidneys and even lead to sepsis, an extreme immune response that can be deadly.
It's less common for men to get UTIs, but when they do get this type of infection, it's considered complicated and treated on the same timeline as complicated UTIs in women. The AUA recommends that men take antibiotics for seven to 14 days if they have a bladder infection. As for kidney infections, men should get care right away to avoid a more serious condition and will probably need to take antibiotics for 14 days.
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