Refractory Urinary Tract Infection
What is Refractory Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?
A refractory UTI is a type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that does not respond to the usual treatments. This type of infection is typically more severe and can cause more severe symptoms than a typical UTI. It is important to get treatment if you suspect you have a refractory UTI in order to avoid any serious complications.
Causes of Refractory UTI
Refractory UTI is caused by a bacterial infection that is resistant to antibiotics normally used to treat typical UTIs. This resistance can be due to mutations in the bacteria that make them resistant to certain antibiotics. The bacteria can also become resistant if a patient is on antibiotics for an extended period of time, such as if a patient has recurrent UTIs.
Symptoms of Refractory UTI
The symptom of a refractory UTI can be similar to that of a typical UTI, such as burning or pain while urinating, frequent urge to urinate, cloudy urine, and pelvic pain. However, symptoms of a refractory UTI can also be more severe, such as sepsis, high fever, nausea, vomiting, and confusion.
Treatments for Refractory UTI
Treating a refractory UTI can be more complicated than treating a typical UTI. It is important to get diagnosed by a doctor and receive the correct tests to identify the type of bacteria causing the infection, as this will help determine the best course of treatment. The treatments for a refractory UTI may include:
- Longer, more intense courses of antibiotics
- Combination therapies using two or more antibiotics
- Intravenous (IV) antibiotics, which are antibiotics administered directly into the bloodstream
- Surgery to treat any structural abnormalities, if necessary
It is important to take all the prescribed antibiotics to ensure that the infection does not come back. It is also important to follow-up with your doctor if you experience any worsening of symptoms.
Prevention of Refractory UTI
There are some steps you can take to help prevent a refractory UTI:
- Drink plenty of water to help flush out bacteria and other toxins.
- Urinate frequently to help flush out bacteria and other toxins.
- Avoid delaying urination or holding in your urine.
- Wipe from front to back to reduce the spread of bacteria.
- Wash the genital area regularly.
- Avoid sex if you have a UTI, as this can cause irritation.
- Talk to your doctor about medications or supplements that may interact with the bacteria causing the UTI or the antibiotics used to treat it.
- Change sexual partners to reduce the spread of bacteria.
It is also important to see your doctor if you are experiencing any symptoms of a UTI, such as burning or pain during urination, frequent urge to urinate, cloudy urine, or pelvic pain. It is important to get it treated as soon as possible to avoid any serious complications.