How to know if uti antibiotics are working

Q: How do you know when antibiotics arent working for UTI?

You may notice that your UTIs symptoms arent going away after antibiotic treatment. In some cases, they might be getting worse..

Cystoscopy allows a health care provider to view the lower urinary tract to look for problems, such as a bladder stone. Surgical tools can be passed through the cystoscope to treat certain urinary tract conditions.

Table of Contents Show

Male cystoscopy
Male cystoscopy
Care at Mayo Clinic
Simple infection
Frequent infections
Severe infection
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How do you know when antibiotics aren't working for UTI?
How long after taking antibiotics will my UTI feel better?
Is it normal to still have UTI symptoms after antibiotics?

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Male cystoscopy

Cystoscopy allows a health care provider to view the lower urinary tract to look for problems in the urethra and bladder. Surgical tools can be passed through the cystoscope to treat certain urinary tract conditions.

Tests and procedures used to diagnose urinary tract infections include:

Analyzing a urine sample. Your health care provider may ask for a urine sample. The urine will be looked at in a lab to check for white blood cells, red blood cells or bacteria. You may be told to first wipe your genital area with an antiseptic pad and to collect the urine midstream. The process helps prevent the sample from being contaminated.
Growing urinary tract bacteria in a lab. Lab analysis of the urine is sometimes followed by a urine culture. This test tells your provider what bacteria are causing the infection. It can let your provider know which medications will be most effective.
Creating images of the urinary tract. Recurrent UTIs may be caused by a structural problem in the urinary tract. Your health care provider may order an ultrasound, a CT scan or MRI to look for this issue. A contrast dye may be used to highlight structures in your urinary tract.
Using a scope to see inside the bladder. If you have recurrent UTIs, your health care provider may perform a cystoscopy. The test involves using a long, thin tube with a lens, called a cystoscope, to see inside the urethra and bladder. The cystoscope is inserted in the urethra and passed through to the bladder.

Care at Mayo Clinic

Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your Urinary tract infection (UTI)-related health concerns Start Here

Treatment

Antibiotics usually are the first treatment for urinary tract infections. Your health and the type of bacteria found in your urine determine which medicine is used and how long you need to take it.

Simple infection

Medicines commonly used for simple UTIs include:

Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Bactrim DS)
Fosfomycin (Monurol)
Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Macrobid, Furadantin)
Cephalexin
Ceftriaxone

The group of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones isn't commonly recommended for simple UTIs. These drugs include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin and others. The risks of these drugs generally outweigh the benefits for treating uncomplicated UTIs.

In cases of a complicated UTI or kidney infection, your health care provider might prescribe a fluoroquinolone medicine if there are no other treatment options.

Often, UTI symptoms clear up within a few days of starting treatment. But you may need to continue antibiotics for a week or more. Take all of the medicine as prescribed.

For an uncomplicated UTI that occurs when you're otherwise healthy, your health care provider may recommend a shorter course of treatment. That may mean taking an antibiotic for 1 to 3 days. Whether a short course of treatment is enough to treat your infection depends on your symptoms and medical history.

Your health care provider also may give you a pain reliever to take that can ease burning while urinating. But pain usually goes away soon after starting an antibiotic.

Frequent infections

If you have frequent UTIs, your health care provider may recommend:

Low-dose antibiotics. You might take them for six months or longer.
Diagnosing and treating yourself when symptoms occur. You'll also be asked to stay in touch with your provider.
Taking a single dose of antibiotic after sex if UTIs are related to sexual activity.
Vaginal estrogen therapy if you've reached menopause.

Severe infection

For a severe UTI, you may need IV antibiotics in a hospital.

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How do you know when antibiotics aren't working for UTI?

You may notice that your UTI's symptoms aren't going away after antibiotic treatment. In some cases, they might be getting worse..

painful urination..

frequent urination..

increased urge to urinate..

blood in the urine..

urinary incontinence..

pain in the abdomen or lower back..

How long after taking antibiotics will my UTI feel better?

These symptoms should improve soon after you begin taking antibiotics. If you are feeling ill, have a low-grade fever, or some pain in your lower back, these symptoms will take 1 to 2 days to improve, and up to 1 week to go away completely.

Is it normal to still have UTI symptoms after antibiotics?

Your doctor can test your urine, determine if you have a urinary tract infection, and prescribe you an antibiotic to fight it. If you continue to notice blood in your urine or if your symptoms persist after a course of antibiotics for a UTI, it may be a sign of something more, like bladder cancer.