Urinary Tract Infections

UTI’S are common infections of the bladder and urinary tract. By far the most common cause of UTI’s is a bacteria called E. coli, which normally serves a useful function in the digestive tract but which wreaks havoc if it finds its way into the urinary system. This is much more likely to happen in females, whose anal and urinary openings are closer than in males. Aside from causing discomfort, these infections can, if left untreated, lead to serious kidney infections.

Treatment
Not all urinary symptoms are caused by infection, so we need to determine the presence of bacteria by looking at your urine under a microscope, and sometimes by doing an overnight culture of your urine. If you do have a UTI, antibiotics will be prescribed. Be sure to take all the antibiotic in order to prevent drug-resistant strains of bacteria from developing and causing a persistent infection. If you’re not getting better after 24 hours of antibiotics, or, if you’re not completely free of symptoms after finishing the medication, please return to the Student Health Center

There are some things that you can do to help yourself feel better before the medication takes effect:

1. Drink lots of water to flush the bacteria out of your bladder; cranberry juice and/or vitamin C will acidify your urine and may help clear the infection more quickly.
2. Urinate frequently. If you have a lot of pain when urinating, urinating while in a warm bathtub might be more comfortable.
3. Avoid coffee, tea, other caffeine-containing beverages and alcohol as they tend to irritate the urinary tract.
4. A medication called Azo-tabs is available over the counter to help reduce the symptoms of UTI. This can be helpful if you’re having severe pain or urgency. It doesn’t treat the infection, however, and antibiotics should be continued even if the symptoms subside.
5. After finishing treatment it is important to have your urine rechecked to make sure the infection is completely gone. No appointment is needed for this; just stop in at the Health Center and leave a specimen. If the follow-up culture shows persistent infection we will let you know.

Prevention

1.  After urinating and especially after a bowel movement, wipe yourself from front to back, away from the urinary opening. Keep the vaginal and anal areas clean.
2. Drink plenty of fluids, at least 8 glasses daily. Water is best but juices and other non-caffeinated fluids are good. Caffeine and alcohol can cause urinary tract irritation.
3. Urinate frequently to flush the urinary system. Refrain from "holding it". If you are sexually active, always urinate after sex.
4. Wear cotton underpants, and avoid clothes that fit tightly in the crotch.
5. During your period, change tampons or menstrual pads often.
6. Avoid perfumed toilet paper, powders, tampons, pads, soaps, bubble baths, and feminine hygiene sprays as they can all irritate the urinary tract making you more susceptible to infection.
7. Daily vitamin C and/or cranberry juice can help make the urine acid and more resistant to infection.
8. If you use a diaphragm for birth control and have frequent UTI’s, see your doctor.