Do Antibiotics Taken For Tonsillitis Cause UTI?

Posted on Wed, 5 Nov 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 5 Nov 2014 Answered on

Sat, 29 Nov 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : hi i experienced tonsillitis roughly 3 weeks ago nearly and was prescribed antibiotics for it. i took 6 tablets out of the 9 in the packet over a 3 day period. 11 days after this i started experiencing possible UTI symptoms (urinating quite often and lower mild pain). could this be related? especially if i did not finish all the antibiotics?

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Unlikely.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query,

1. A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) two weeks after a Tonsillitis is unlikely to be directly related.

2. Most antibiotics are however excreted in the urine, and if this disturbs the bacterial flora in the urinary tract, a UTI may ensue. Dehydration due to Tonsillitis may also be one of the contributing factors.

3. Get a urine culture done. Extra fluids and a urinary antibiotic based on the routine urine examination and culture can be taken accordingly.

If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar