Urinary Tract Infection – Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I Pass a UTI Sexually To My Partner?
No, UTIs are not sexually transmitted infections. Women should urinate immediately before and after intercourse to decrease her risk of developing a UTI. If you repeatedly get a UTI after sex, your doctor may recommend you take a single dose of an antibiotic after each sexual intercourse.
- Can a UTI Go Away On Its Own?
In most cases, a UTI is unlikely to go away without antibiotic treatment. But delaying the treatment of a UTI can put you at risk for much more serious illness. So, all UTIs should be treated promptly.
- Can a Yeast Infection Cause a UTI?
Yes, yeast from the vaginal area can potentially spread to the bladder just like a bacteria. But this is much less common than bacterial bladder infections.
- What is Acute Cystitis?
Acute cystitis describes a bladder infection that starts suddenly. However, this is different from a chronic cystitis which describes a bladder infection that lingers for a long time and recurs frequently. And acute cystitis is much more common than chronic cystitis.
- Are Cystitis and Interstitial Cystitis the Same Thing?
No, while the symptoms are similar, these are two different conditions. On one hand, cystitis is a bacterial infection in the bladder, or a bladder infection. On the other hand, interstitial cystitis, also known as painful bladder syndrome, is a chronic condition of unknown cause, not associated with an infection.
- What Does it Mean if I Get Frequent UTIs?
Recurrent UTI is defined as three or more infections in a year. So if you have recurrent UTI, you may have a behavioral habit or a medical condition that increases your risk. And you may also need to take antibiotics longer than the typical three days for treatment.
- Can Herbal Medicines Treat a UTI?
There are no known studies showing teas, herbs or juices curing a UTI. But unsweetened cranberry juice may help to prevent a bladder infection. However, once an infection develops antibiotics are needed for treatment.
Copyright: myObMD Media, LLC | Written by: Tolu Amzat, MD | March 31st, 2021 | Edited by:Dayna Smith MD
Glossary:
- Kidney: Bean shaped organs that filter the blood to remove waste that becomes urine
- Ureter: A pair of tubes, each leading from one of the kidneys that carry urine to the bladder.
- Urethra: A tube-like structure that connects to the bladder through which urine flows to leave the body.
- Bladder: An organ where urine is stored.
- Urethritis: Infection of the urethra, the tube through which urine flows out of the body.
- Cystitis: Infection of the bladder
- Pyelonephritis : Infection of the kidney
References
- Foxman B. Urinary tract infection syndromes: occurrence, recurrence, bacteriology, risk factors, and disease burden. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2014; 28:1.
- Gupta K, Hooton TM, Naber KG, et al. International clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis and pyelonephritis in women: A 2010 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the European Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Clin Infect Dis 2011; 52:e103.
- Arnold J, Hehn, L, Klein D, Common Questions About Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Women. Am Fam Physician. 2016 Apr 1;93(7):560-569.
- Patel A. Management of Urinary Tract Infections in Women. US Pharm. 2007;32(9):26-33.
- Glover M, Moreira CG, Sperandio V, Zimmern P. Recurrent urinary tract infections in healthy and nonpregnant women. Urol Sci. 2014;25(1):1–8.
- ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 91: Treatment of urinary tract infections in nonpregnant women. Obstet Gynecol. 2008;111:785–94
