Recurrent infections

[talkhealth]

On a regular basis I get bladder infections and feel the need to use the toilet often with sometimes little or no urine being passed. Is there anything I can do as I’m getting fed up with recurrent infections?

Laura

[Mr Mohammed Belal]

Recurrent urinary infection are a common issue and can affect a least 50% of the female population at some point in their life. Conservative management can include increasing fluid intake and avoiding certain triggers for infection. Various strategies can be used to try and reduce such infections. If the infections are troublesome despite the strategy mentioned below then imaging of the urinary tract such as an ultrasound is required.

A strategy of using prophylactic antibiotics can be tried in patients with significant recurrent infections. This is when a small dose of antibiotic is prescribed for use at night or day to reduce the infections. This can be tried for a period of several months and is likely to reduce the frequency of such infections. The risk of antibiotic resistance can occur though in most people this is not an issue.

Start antibiotics can be prescribed in primary care to start on the first sign of infection. This is when the patient has a prescription of antibiotics in advance. If the trigger is sexual intercourse then a dose of antibiotic can be given at the time or ideally 30 minutes prior.

Others medication can be tried includes hipprex which acidifies the urine. Other non licensed strategies can include D-mannose that can be bought from health food shops though the cost may be an issue.

If this fails then further investigation is required. An ultrasound scan and sometimes a flexible cystoscopy (camera inspection of the bladder) may be warranted. Other strategies can include bladder installations and the use of vaccines though this normally requires supervision in secondary care.