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Suggest Treatment For Recurring UTI
Posted on
Mon, 29 Sep 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 29 Sep 2014
Answered on
Fri, 24 Oct 2014
Last reviewed on
Question : I had three UTIs in the past two months all of which needed urgent treatment because of the severity of the symptoms - fever, back and flank pain, increased blood level of leukocytes, hematuria (5+), leukocytes (5+), protein (2-3+) on urine dipstick testing. The C&S revealed Proteus bacteria. I have been a several courses of antibiotics which have worked temporarily. As of this writing, I am again experiencing some back and left flank pain which comes and goes. It tends to worsen with increased activity. I have mild hematuria (1-2+) and leukocytes (1+) on urine dipstick testing. I do not have a fever although my BP and HR are elevated. I have a history of uric acid stones that required two surgical interventions forty years ago as the stones were the size of golf balls and were blocking my left kidney. I have not a recurrence of the uric acid stones. However, I been hospitalized 10 plus times for pyelonephritis. The last hospitalization was over twenty years ago. I do not know why I am experiencing a sudden recurrence of UTIs. Please advise. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
You may need extended antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX thank you for using Healthcare Magic. You do seem to have a susceptibility to UTIs/pyelonephritis. You've also had other conditions affecting your urinary tract (the stones) that could make you more prone to severe infections as well. It is possible you may be having small stones that cause partial blocking and thus make it more difficult to clear up an existing infection completely.
Sometimes a person having recurrent infections needs extended treatment with antibiotics, or even preventive treatment on a daily basis for several months after the infection has cleared. At this point, with such a history, it might be advisable to have further studies of your urinary tract to find out the cause of the recurrent UTIs.
A urologist is the specialist who would handle this. Is that who you are seeing now? If not, you may consider getting an appointment with one and addressing these issues. An IVP and cystoscopy may be some of the studies needed to diagnose a cause.
Sometimes postmenopausal women not on hormones tend to get more frequent UTIs because the tissues in the area are not as protective against infections because of the dryness and hormone lack. An estrogen vaginal cream may be helpful in those cases.
Because of the severity and frequency of these problems, I recommend seeing a urologist and obtaining a thorough evaluation of your urinary tract. You could also discuss extended antibiotic therapy, if needed, with the doctor.
Hope this answers your query. If you have further questions, I would be happy to answer them.
You may need extended antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX thank you for using Healthcare Magic. You do seem to have a susceptibility to UTIs/pyelonephritis. You've also had other conditions affecting your urinary tract (the stones) that could make you more prone to severe infections as well. It is possible you may be having small stones that cause partial blocking and thus make it more difficult to clear up an existing infection completely.
Sometimes a person having recurrent infections needs extended treatment with antibiotics, or even preventive treatment on a daily basis for several months after the infection has cleared. At this point, with such a history, it might be advisable to have further studies of your urinary tract to find out the cause of the recurrent UTIs.
A urologist is the specialist who would handle this. Is that who you are seeing now? If not, you may consider getting an appointment with one and addressing these issues. An IVP and cystoscopy may be some of the studies needed to diagnose a cause.
Sometimes postmenopausal women not on hormones tend to get more frequent UTIs because the tissues in the area are not as protective against infections because of the dryness and hormone lack. An estrogen vaginal cream may be helpful in those cases.
Because of the severity and frequency of these problems, I recommend seeing a urologist and obtaining a thorough evaluation of your urinary tract. You could also discuss extended antibiotic therapy, if needed, with the doctor.
Hope this answers your query. If you have further questions, I would be happy to answer them.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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