How to Recover from Urinary Tract Infection as Quickly as Possible?
Urinary tract infection (UTI) frequently occurs in daily life, presenting symptoms such as frequent urination, urgent urination, painful urination, and bladder discomfort. The condition of UTI is complex, and there is no fastest way to recover. Patients need to be diagnosed at the hospital first and then undergo targeted treatment. Antibiotics such as amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, and nitrofurantoin are commonly used for treatment.
1. Female Non-Pregnant UTI
(1) Acute uncomplicated cystitis is recommended to be treated with a three-day course of therapy, which involves oral administration of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ofloxacin, or levofloxacin. For cases where the causative bacteria are resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, nitrofurantoin can be used as an alternative.
(2) Acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis is recommended to be treated with antibiotics. For mild cases, oral administration of quinolones can be used. If the causative bacteria are sensitive to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, this drug can also be used orally. If the causative bacteria are Gram-positive bacteria, amoxicillin or amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium can be used alone. For severe cases or patients who cannot take oral medications, hospitalization is recommended, and intravenous administration of quinolones or broad-spectrum cephalosporins should be used. If the condition improves, sensitive antibiotics can be selected for oral therapy based on urine culture results.
(3) The treatment plan for complicated UTI depends on the severity of the disease. Besides antimicrobial therapy, it is necessary to address anatomical and functional abnormalities of the urinary system as well as other potential underlying diseases. Nutritional support may also be needed if necessary.
2. Male Cystitis
All male patients with cystitis should be evaluated for the exclusion of prostatitis. For uncomplicated acute cystitis, oral administration of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or quinolones can be used. For complicated acute cystitis, oral administration of ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin is recommended.
3. Pregnant UTI
(1) Asymptomatic bacteriuria: It is recommended that pregnant women should undergo routine urine culture testing during early pregnancy to detect asymptomatic bacteriuria. Currently, it is recommended that these patients should receive antimicrobial therapy. Antimicrobial drugs can be selected based on the results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing. One of the following options can be chosen: nitrofurantoin, amoxicillin, or amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium. For patients with recurrent asymptomatic bacteriuria, antibiotic prophylaxis can be administered during pregnancy by taking nitrofurantoin or cephalexin before bedtime every night.
(2) Acute cystitis: Antimicrobial therapy should be administered based on the results of urine culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. If the results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing are not available in time, nitrofurantoin, amoxicillin, or second- or third-generation cephalosporins can be used for treatment. After treatment, urine culture should be repeated to assess the treatment effect. For recurrent acute cystitis, daily oral administration of cefuroxime or nitrofurantoin until the puerperium is recommended to prevent recurrence.
4. Asymptomatic Bacteriuria
Antimicrobial therapy is not recommended for asymptomatic bacteriuria in premenopausal non-pregnant women, diabetic patients, elderly individuals, patients with spinal cord injury, and patients with indwelling catheters. However, for patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria undergoing urological surgery or examination that may cause urinary mucosa bleeding, such as transurethral prostate surgery, sensitive antibiotics should be administered based on the results of bacterial culture.
