“May all be happy, may all be healed, may all be at peace and may no one ever suffer."
Complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) and recurrent UTIs are two types of UTIs that require special attention and treatment.
Complicated UTIs occur when there is an underlying condition that predisposes a person to develop a UTI, such as kidney stones, urinary tract obstruction, or an impaired immune system. The symptoms of complicated UTIs are similar to those of uncomplicated UTIs, including painful urination, frequent urination, and fever. However, the treatment of complicated UTIs usually involves a longer course of antibiotics and sometimes surgical intervention to correct the underlying condition.
Recurrent UTIs are defined as having two or more UTIs within six months or three or more UTIs within a year. Risk factors for recurrent UTIs include being female, having a history of UTIs, sexual activity, and certain medical conditions. Treatment for recurrent UTIs may involve long-term antibiotics, use of prophylactic antibiotics, or low-dose antibiotics taken after sexual activity. In some cases, other treatments such as cranberry supplements or probiotics may be used.
Preventing UTIs can be achieved by practicing good hygiene, drinking plenty of fluids, and urinating frequently. For people with recurrent UTIs, additional preventive measures may include voiding before and after sex, wiping front to back after using the toilet, and avoiding irritants such as bubble baths or scented soaps.