Urinary tract infection is the most common type of infection that affects your bladder, kidney, or other parts of your urinary tract. These infections are more common in women as compared to men. Sometimes the UTI can go away on their own. However, if left untreated, the infection can cause severe implications.

Hence, it is essential to diagnose and treat your infection with UTI medications. However, before you receive any medication, it is essential to diagnose the infection.

Diagnosis

Some of the symptoms of the infection are pain during urination, bloody or cloudy urine, frequent urination, urine that has a strong odor, pelvic pain in women, and rectal pain in men, etc. If you see any of these symptoms, you must visit your health care provider for a proper diagnosis.

Diagnosis helps determine the cause of infection and will help determine the medication that can provide relief. The diagnosis generally involves collecting urine samples of the patient.

The sample is then tested in the laboratory for white blood cells, red blood cells, and bacteria. A large number of white blood cells in the urine can indicate an infection.

The Analysis is followed by a urine culture to test for bacteria or fungi. The culture helps identify the bacteria or fungi causing the infection.

Once your health care provider knows the exact cause of your infection, they will be able to make an informed decision about the UTI medication and its duration.

Causes of Urinary tract infection

The cause of your infection is essential to decide which medication will be the most beneficial. Based on the cause identified during the diagnosis process, your doctor will recommend a UTI medication.

Urinary Tract infections are usually caused by bacteria and can be treated with antibiotics. The UTI antibiotic medication prevents the growth of infection-causing bacteria and destroys them.

In rare cases, the UTI is caused by viruses. The viral UTI is treated with a medication called antivirals. UTI can also be caused due to fungi and is treated with antifungal medication.

Another essential point to be considered in case of a UTI infection is the part of the urinary tract infected. The urinary tract consists of the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidney.

Most UTIs affect the lower part of the track consisting of the urethra and bladder. Others can affect the kidney and ureters as well.

Upper tract UTIs are rare but are more severe and difficult to treat. Symptoms like fever, nausea, vomiting, pain in the upper back and sides can point towards upper tract UTIs.

Antibiotics for UTI

Choice of Antibiotics for UTI and their duration will depend on the cause of infection and the infected part of the urinary tract. Lower tract UTI is treated with oral antibiotics. Upper tract UTI may require intravenous antibiotics that are injected into the patient’s veins.

Depending on the cause of bacteria, your doctor will prescribe you a suitable medication. The UTI medication is usually prescribed for seven days or less, depending on the severity of the infection.

Within a few days of taking antibiotics, you will feel relief in your signs and symptoms. However, you must complete your prescribed course of antibiotics.

Not completing the course of medication can result in antibiotic resistance. Your bacteria will grow resistant to the antibiotics, which means they are immune to their effects.

In case you have a complicated UTI, your doctor may extend the duration of medication to fourteen days. After the prescribed period, your urine sample is collected again for laboratory testing.

If you get recurrent UTIs, your health care provider will prescribe a prolonged course of antibiotics. You can easily order these antibiotics online or from a local medicine shop with a prescription.

If sex is the cause of your infection, you may need to take a dose of an antibiotic right before intercourse.

Side effects of UTI medication

Some of the common side effects of UTI medication are rashes, diarrhea, nausea, headache, vomiting, nerve damage, etc. If you are experiencing severe side effects post medication, you must consult your health care provider at the earliest.