Urinary tract infection is one of the common types of infections that affect the urinary system, and it is usually caused by bacteria, especially E. coli.
Urinary tract infection causes pain in the side or lower back, pain when urinating, and the need to urinate frequently.
In the following paragraphs, we will review together the Best Antibiotic for UTI in Females and how to prevent the disease.
Understanding UTIs and Their Treatment Options
Urinary tract infection is a common bacterial infection of the urinary tract that can be treated with appropriate antibiotics.
Urinary tract infections cause symptoms, the most important of which are:
- Lower back or side pain.
- Dark and sometimes bloody urine.
- Burning sensation when urinating.
- Fatigue.
- Fever.
The causes of infection are due to the bacteria causing the disease reaching the bladder, and women are more susceptible to the disease due to the proximity of the urethra to the anus and the short length of the urethra.
Factors that increase the risk of infection:
- Sexual activity.
- Menopause.
- Weak immunity.
- Using a catheter.
- Pregnancy.
Treatment Options for UTIs
The treatment of urinary tract infection aims to get rid of symptoms and microbial infection, prevent its recurrence, and protect the body from unwanted complications such as kidney damage and blood poisoning, and in pregnant women, protect the fetus and the pregnant mother.
Appropriate antibiotics are prescribed after conducting the necessary tests, and it is very important to complete the treatment completely and according to the doctor’s prescription even if the symptoms disappear to avoid the disease returning again.
In addition to drug treatment, there are some home remedies that help you get rid of the symptoms of the disease and recover quickly from the it.
Choosing the Best Antibiotic for UTIs in Women
In simple cases the best antibiotic for UTI in females can be as follows:
- Cephalexin.
- Ceftriaxone.
- Fosfomycin (Monurol).
- Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Bactrim DS).
- Fosfomycin (Monurol). ( Heidar , Degheili , Yacoubian, & Khauli , 2019)
Complicated urinary tract infections or kidney infections
In these cases, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics belonging to the fluoroquinolones family, which includes a group of drugs such as: ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin and others.
The symptoms of urinary tract infections disappear within a few days of taking the treatment, but the doctor may prescribe treatment for periods exceeding a week, and you must follow his prescription to eliminate the infection completely.
Tips for Effective UTI Treatment and Prevention
Tips for treating and preventing urinary tract infections:
- After determining the best antibiotic for urinary tract infections in women, you must follow the prescription carefully, even after the symptoms disappear.
- Drink plenty of fluids to flush out bacteria.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen if you need them.
- Frequent urination helps flush out bacteria.
- The body should be wiped from front to back, not vice versa, so that bacteria do not move from the anus to the urethra.
- Use a shower instead of a bath.
- Wear cotton clothes and change them regularly, and avoid tight underwear that traps sweat and dirt and increases the chances of microbes multiplying.
- Urinate after sex.
- Change sanitary pads frequently during your period.
- Drink cranberry juice and nutritional supplements that contain its extract, as it helps get rid of urinary tract infections. ( Jancel & Dudas, 2002)
Related: What Causes a UTI in a Woman?
References
Heidar , N. F., Degheili , J. A., Yacoubian, A. A., & Khauli , R. B. (2019). PubMed. Retrieved from Management of urinary tract infection in women: A practical approach for everyday practice: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6798292/
Jancel, T., & Dudas, V. (2002). PubMed. Retrieved from Management of uncomplicated urinary tract infections: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1071654/
