Why won't my UTI clear up with antibiotics?
Urinary tract infection(UTI) symptoms may linger in some cases, even after taking Antibiotics. Sometimes, it may require a different type of treatment, or there can be another type of infection that causes your symptoms.
Antibiotic medicines are commonly prescribed for treating people with urinary tract infections(UTIs). These drugs contain antibacterial properties, clear the infection, and effectively relieve the symptoms.
But sometimes, these antibiotics fail, and there can be several reasons behind them. You may notice that your UTI symptoms aren't going away after antibiotic treatment. Even in some cases, the symptoms keep worsening even if you start the treatment.
So, for these choirs, This article will help you explore what might cause antibiotics to fail. And what should you do if this happens when you have a UTI and antibiotics do not work?
Why UTI symptoms can linger after antibiotics
In a 2019 study, UTI was found to be one of the most common types of bacterial infection, and it is an outpatient infection in the United States. Medications like Antibiotic medicines are the first line of treatment for most Urinary tract infections(UTIs).
During the treatment, the Doctor usually prescribes an antibiotic without performing a urine test. Almost 90% of UTI cases appear due to E. coli, a bacterium. Unfortunately, however, UTI treatments only respond as expected sometimes. The Antibiotics fail to show any improvement, or sometimes the symptoms keep worsening. Three primary reasons behind it may appear during such cases of UTI treatment.
In case you have an Urinary tract infection(UTI) due to an antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria.
Another type of bacteria, fungi, or virus causes a urinary tract infection(UTI).
Or you might be suffering from another condition with UTI-like symptoms.
Antibiotic resistance
When you have a UTI infection due to a bacteria stain with antibiotic resistance, your antibiotic will not work against it. The situation may appear when the bacteria evolve in response to frequent or constant use of antibiotics.
A person with any underlying medical problems or chronic UTIs is more likely to have a risk for antibiotic resistance.
Which UTI antibiotics are resistant?
Antibiotics that have high rates of antibiotic resistance while using them for UTIs include-
- Amoxicillin and Ampicillin
- Fluoroquinolone antibiotics(ciprofloxacin)
- Penicillin class of antibiotics
- Sulfonamides (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim)
Use of wrong antibiotics
The treatment prescribed without a urine culture may have a risk that antibiotics prescribed for the infection may not be the right one.
This happens because the most commonly seen culprit for UTIs is E.coli. But what if you have a UTI infection due to a less common bacteria strain, fungi, or a virus? During this situation, a urine culture may help to find the exact cause and help suggest an accurate treatment. However, when it is not performed, and urinalysis is not done correctly, there can be chances of missing the right antibiotic for the treatment. Also, such practice can cause antibiotic resistance during a UTI treatment.
When It's Not Exactly an Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
What if your UTI is another condition with the same symptoms as a UTI cause? During such conditions, it is evident that the antibiotics you are taking would not work to treat UTI. You may require accurate treatment for the condition from which you are suffering. Some of the conditions that may appear to cause the same symptoms as UTI are-
- Kidney infection
- Interstitial cystitis
- Acute cystitis
- Chlamydia
- Overactive bladder
- Vaginitis
- Gonorrhea
- Trichomoniasis
- Bladder cancer
- Genital herpes
- Prostate cancer
Chronic UTIs
A person who gets UTIs more often than others suffers from a chronic UTI problem. Such chronic infection can usually return 3 to 4 times yearly despite effective antibiotic treatments.
The problem appears where, more often, a UTI recurs and is always treated, and at some point, it is more likely to develop antibiotic resistance.
Some leading causes of chronic UTIs are
Anatomy: Females are more likely to have a UTI due to their shorter urethras than males. In contrast, some people may have problems due to the shape and function of the urinary tract, which quickly acquires bacterial infection.
Menopause: During Menopause, there can be a decrease in the levels of estrogen. When there is a decrease in estrogen levels, it can cause thinning of vaginal tissue, and it may make it more vulnerable to infection. Then, the infection may spread to the urethra and urinary tract.
Sex- While having sexual intercourse, The bacteria may quickly enter the urinary tract through the urethra.
Genetics: Some studies suggest that certain people are born with cell receptors in the urinary tract. Due to these cell receptors, the bacteria may easily stick to the urinary tract and may lead to an infection. These receptors are usually transferred from the genetic link and occur in the families.
People who frequently recur UTIs are generally prescribed prophylactic antibiotics. Your Doctor may prescribe them when you take low doses of antibiotics daily to prevent the risk of getting a UTI.
What's next when UTI symptoms remain after antibiotics?
If your UTI isn't responding to antibiotic treatment, you may need a urine culture to find out which bacteria is causing the infection. If another type of bacteria, fungi or virus is responsible for UTI, your Doctor may prescribe treatment.
Here are some lifestyle changes that would help you reduce the chances of getting a UTI. Also, they will help you to reduce the severity of the symptoms that a UTI may cause-
Change Hygiene routine: A few small hygiene changes may help you reduce the risk for UTIs. It includes practices like not holding in your urine, wiping front to back, and constantly peeing after you have sex.
Drink more water: Water is quite essential for your urinary health. Drinking more water will also help flush bacteria from the urinary tract and reduce the risk of a UTI.
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables: To support your immune system, you should eat plenty. Fruits and vegetables contain high levels of vitamin C, which may help reduce the risk of UTI.
Add more cranberry juice to your diet: Cranberries are commonly recommended as home remedies for a urinary tract infection(UTI). Cranberry juice can lower the chances that bacteria will stick to the urinary tract, which will help reduce the possibility of a disease. Also, garlic extract may potentially help in reducing the risk of UTI.
Take a probiotic: Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus, may help you reduce the risk of a UTI. Plus, probiotics are known to restore the good bacteria in the body after taking an antibiotic treatment course.
Note that these recommendations work best for UTIs and kidney and bladder infections. Also, these three medical conditions are treated similarly. So, If you are getting UTI-like symptoms due to any other underlying condition, your treatment will likely differ.
Do you know?
A lesser-known fact about UTIs is that they can sometimes cause symptoms like confusion or mood changes, especially in older adults, due to the infection's effect on the brain. Additionally, recurrent UTIs can sometimes be linked to changes in the vaginal microbiome or the use of certain birth control methods, like spermicides.
Final lines
Antibiotics for treating a urinary tract infection(UTI) do not always work as expected. The most common reasons behind it can be the improper use of the antibiotics, including inconsistent dosing or stopping the antibiotics too early.
Also, there can be chances that you are infected with a strain of bacteria that is antibiotic-resistant. Some people are more likely to secure UTI due to anatomical vulnerabilities or behaviours that may be more prone to re-expose to a UTI.
If you do not respond to antibiotics better, you discuss a doctor about it once you suspect this. Working with a doctor and getting the appropriate treatment for your infection is important. Take your antibiotics exactly as prescribed and take essential precautions during the treatment. And, if you wish to buy antibiotics then you may get them at the best price from Our Indian pharmacy, Visit Now.
