Women and Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections
Three or more urinary tract infections increase the risk of developing others. For the women affected by this recurrence, more than one method of treatment are available:
- - A single dose of antibiotic should be taken after sexual contact
- - Low doses of TMP/SMZ or nitrofurantoin taken for 6 months proved themselves effective in most of the cases
- - Use antibiotics in low doses for about 2 days after the apparition of the symptoms
There is also a test consisting in dipsticks that change color in presence of an infection, which have 90% accuracy. They are used on the first urine of that day and can determine recurrent infection.
Other steps to prevent recurrent infection
- - A good hydration is important, and so is the use of cranberry juice or vitamin C
- - Don't ignore the need to urinate, or resist it
- - Wipe the aria from the front to the back to allow no anus area bacteria to enter the urethra
- - Showers should replace baths
- - The genital area should be very hygienic before sexual contact
- - Some cosmetic products can produce irritations, so it is better not to use them.
For now, a vaccine against UTI is not available, but, based on the research that show immunoglobines prevent urinary tract infection; the scientists are working on one.
This vaccine will prevent UTI recurrence and will have the forms of pills, injections and vaginal suppository.