Other health risks and adverse effects associated with antibiotics for the treatment of urinary tract infections include extreme allergic reactions and numerous side effects. Many antibiotics such as fluoroquinolones cannot be prescribed to pregnant women because of the concerns that they might have a possible toxic effect on the fetus. Many antibiotics such as ampicillin, amoxicillin, and sulfonamides are no longer effective against stronger mutated bacteria and hence are not a good choice for combatting these infections.Īntibiotics can also have adverse effects on the flora of the gut and the vagina. And since recurrence rates in the case of UTIs are high, it’s a strong possibility that an antibiotic may not be effective every time. Every time you take an antibiotic, the bacteria that are in your system are more likely to adapt and mutate and become resistant to the administered antibiotic. While most UTIs can be effectively managed and treated with a course of antibiotics, more and more bacteria are becoming resistant to different types of antibiotics due to mutations in their genetic code. The types of antibiotics prescribed as the first line of treatment are based upon the type of bacteria found in your urine after the urine analysis, your health status, and the severity of the infection. The appropriate antibiotic course leads to higher symptomatic and bacteriological cure rates and significantly reduces the chances of reinfection. The most common treatment option is a course of antibiotic therapy that targets the pathogens and the bacteria causing the infection. Urinary tract infections occur due to an external bacterial infection in the urinary tract of a body. In this article, we will discuss a range of OTC treatment options for UTI symptoms to help speed up your recovery. While antibiotics are considered the golden standard for treating UTIs, there are still some precautionary measures you can take to help manage your symptoms better. This is why experts, and patients alike, seek alternative methods of over-the-counter (OTC) UTI treatment that doesn’t involve the use of antibiotics. However, high recurrence rates and increasing antibiotic resistance amongst uropathogens mean that antibiotics aren’t always effective. While most UTIs aren’t serious, if not treated, the infection can spread to other parts of the body and become life-threatening.įortunately, UTIs can be treated easily with a prescribed course of antibiotics. alone, UTIs account for over 10 million visits to medical facilities on an annual basis.Ĭaused by a wide range of pathogens, UTIs are often accompanied by agonizing symptoms such as burning pain during urination, abdominal pain, fever, backaches, and more.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a severe public health problem that affects around 150 million people each year globally.

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