For treatment to be successful, a UTI must be detected as quickly as possible and once the related signs and symptoms start showing.
Cardinal to this aspect is the aspect that a person who feels or suspects that they have a UTI or the signs and symptoms, they must quickly seek medical attention either by visiting a clinic or the (especially community) pharmacy.
The health personnel will make a number of assessments among them is the Urinalysis in which they can do Microscopy, culture and dipstick.
This is done by using an electric medical gadget such as Microscope to check if urine contains an increase in bacteria, white blood cells or red blood cells.
The other is urine culture, where clean urine is collected, preferably early morning and some reagents are added to it.
If bacteria grows in the sample, it is confirmation that it is present and therefore treatment for the UTI must start.
The other way is where a clinician assesses the symptoms and determines the diagnosis. When diagnosis is done treatment must commence.
It is advised that treatment be done by consulting a professional as it involves medication that can be too complex sometimes.
In other words, the drugs used for treatment sometimes may also cause harm if not used rightly. For treatment of uncomplicated UTI, oral antimicrobial drugs are given such as:
Trimethoprim, Cefalexin, Nitrofurantoin, Amoxicillin. given for 5-7 days.
Take note that some of these may be combined.Complicated UTI (pyelonephritis) is done with systemic antimicrobial agents among these are: cefuroxime (+/- gentamicin) or quinolone.
Ceftriaxone iv, Ceftazidime iv, Co-amoxiclav iv, Gentamicin iv, Ciprofloxacin iv, Piperacillin/tazobactam iv, Meropenem iv.
Also note that Therapy/treatment can be adjusted once sensitivities are known, generally treatment is extended to at least 14 days in severe infections.
It is always cheaper and safer to prevent than treat and so, to prevent a UTI the following ways may be found useful, drink water often, wipe (the private part) from front to back,
empty the bladder immediately after intercourse, avoid irritating feminine products and change the birth control method (for females).
Next time we shall discuss ring worms
By McLawrence Phiri (+260973 694 482) both WhatsApp and calls are welcome
