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2. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Slideshow Pictures
3. Urinary Incontinence in Women Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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The usual treatment for both simple and complicated urinary tract infections is antibiotics. The type of antibiotic and duration of treatment depend on the circumstances.

Lower urinary tract infection (cystitis)

• In an otherwise healthy young female, a three-day course of antibiotics is usually enough. Some providers prefer a seven-day course of antibiotics. Occasionally, a single dose of an antibiotic is used. Your health-care provider will determine which of these options is best for you.
• Adult males with a UTI require seven to 14 days of antibiotics. If the prostate is also infected (prostatitis), four weeks or more of antibiotic treatment may be required.
• Adult females with potential for or early involvement of the kidneys, urinary tract abnormalities, or diabetes are usually given a five- to seven-day course of antibiotics.
• Children with uncomplicated cystitis are usually given a 10-day course of antibiotics.
• To alleviate burning pain during urination, phenazopyridine (Pyridium) or a similar drug, can be used in addition to antibiotics for one to two days.

Upper urinary tract infection (pyelonephritis)

• Young, otherwise healthy females with symptoms of pyelonephritis can be treated as outpatients. They may receive IV fluids and antibiotics or an injection of antibiotics in the emergency department, followed by 10-14 days of oral antibiotics. They should follow up with their health-care provider in one to two days to monitor improvement.
• If you are very ill, dehydrated, or unable to keep anything in your stomach because of vomiting, an IV will be inserted into your arm. You will be admitted to the hospital and given fluids and antibiotics through the IV until you are well enough to switch to an oral antibiotic.
• A complicated infection may require treatment for several weeks.

You may be hospitalized if you have symptoms of pyelonephritis and any of the following:

• appear very ill;
• are pregnant;
• have not gotten better with outpatient antibiotic treatment;
• have underlying diseases that compromise the immune system (diabetes is one example) or are taking immunosuppressive medication;
• are unable to keep anything in your stomach because of nausea or vomiting;
• had previous kidney disease, especially pyelonephritis within the last 30 days;
• have a device such as a urinary catheter in place; or
• have kidney stones.

Urethritis in men and women can be caused by the same bacteria as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Therefore, people with symptoms of STDs (vaginal or penile discharge for example) should be treated with appropriate antibiotics.

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