Overview
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are prevalent bacterial infections primarily affecting women. The typical symptoms include painful urination or burning while urinating and increased urgency to urinate. You have landed on the right page if you have a UTI, require quick relief, and are searching for urinary tract infection treatment.
What is a UTI?
An infection in a part of your urinary system is termed a urinary tract infection (UTI). The urinary tract mainly includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The urethra and bladder are referred to as the lower tract, and the ureter and kidneys are referred to as the upper tract. Most infections involve the lower part, but upper-tract UTIs can lead to more complications.
How to Get Rid of a UTI in 24 Hours?
If you are wondering how to get rid of a UTI in 24 hours, you have landed on the correct article. Although to be clear, it can take 2-3 days for symptoms to improve using the below-mentioned antibiotics. If you are facing a severe urinary tract infection you should consult a doctor.
How to Get Rid of a UTI Fast?
The following measures may help relieve UTI symptoms:
Visit The Doctor
Painful urination and constant running to the bathroom are very troublesome. If your symptoms don’t improve in 24 hours, you need antibiotics. It is best to consult a doctor if that is the case.
Drink Plenty of Water
If you have orange or concentrated urine, increasing water intake will help your body flushes out the bacteria causing infection such as E. Coli from the urinary tract and may help expedite recovery.
Take OTC Medications
Many people take Advil for UTI for pain relief. Phenazopyridine is a popular option that acts as a pain reliever, relieves burning pain, and is another option available as an over-the-counter medication. These measures may help within 24 hrs.
Try Cranberries
Drinking cranberry juice or taking supplements is another popular natural alternative for treating UTIs. This idea is based on the fact that cranberry makes your urine more acidic, which aids in eliminating the bacteria causing your infection and promotes healing. Unfortunately, insufficient evidence still supports this claim, but it is still worth a try.
Practice Good Hygiene
Wiping from front to back helps prevent E. Coli from reaching your private area. Also, emptying your bladder after intercourse helps prevent a bladder infection.
Consume Vitamin C
Vitamin C works by destroying harmful bacteria due to its acidity. It will also help prevent infection, UTI pain and bloody urination.
Consume Garlic
Garlic has antibacterial properties that help the body fights infection.
Wear Comfy and Loose Clothes
This helps prevent external irritation and may help prevent discomfort.
Use a Heating Pad
This helps relieve abdominal pain and abdominal pressure associated with the UTI.
Take Probiotics
Once E. Coli gains access to your bladder, it’ll begin reproducing and replacing the good bacteria. Probiotics help restore the balance of the ‘good’ bacteria and prevent the ‘bad’ ones from multiplying.
Best Antibiotics For UTIs
UTIs are curable and should be treated promptly to prevent complications such as kidney infections. If you have developed symptoms of a UTI, the fastest way to get relief is by taking an antibiotic to treat the condition.
Commonly prescribed antibiotics used for treating UTIs include:
1. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim DS):
General information: This combination drug contains two antibiotics: trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole, also known as TMP/SMX. It is often the first choice because it effectively relieves the symptoms rapidly. However, if a person is allergic to sulfa drugs, other options are considered.
Dosage: One double-strength tablet (160 mg of trimethoprim/800 mg of sulfamethoxazole) twice a day for 3-7 days.
Side effects: Some common side effects of TMP/SMX are rash, nausea, and vomiting. Rare but more side effects include dangerous skin conditions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS).
2. Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid):
General information: This drug is another first choice for treating UTIs. Nitrofurantoin works by preventing bacteria from making the DNA material, thereby stopping them from multiplying.
Dosage: 100 mg twice a day for 5-7 days
Side effects: Common side effects include loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. More severe side effects include liver conditions like jaundice and hepatitis.
3. Ciprofloxacin (Cipro):
General Information: Ciprofloxacin keeps bacteria from copying their DNA and multiplying. It works quickly but is prescribed for minor UTIs as increasing antibacterial resistance is a concern and needs to be addressed while prescribing this medication. Additionally, the risk of severe side effects is higher.
Dosage: 250 mg twice a day for 3-5 days
OR
500mg twice daily for 5-7 days
Side effects: Ciprofloxacin can lead to serious side effects like tendon rupture and it can affect your nervous system. Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or a rash.
4. Fosfomycin (Monurol):
General information: Fosfomycin is useful in treating UTIs caused by resistant bacteria. It works well against infections that are not treated by the usual antibiotics. It kills bacteria causing a UTI and prevents them from sticking to the urinary tract lining as well.
Dosage: A single dose containing 3 grams of fosfomycin powder mixed in water.
Side effects: Fosfomycin can cause nausea, diarrhea, and headaches.
The duration of treatment usually varies from patient to patient and is according to the intensity of the symptoms. Mostly the course of treatment ranges from 3 to 7 days but can be up to 14 days in case of a severe infection.
Related: How To Treat A UTI In Men
When to consult a doctor
There are some risks of using antibiotics, so to determine the best course of antibiotics for you, it is best to consult with a health care provider. You can do so by consulting an online doctor at Your Doctors Online. We have the most straightforward way in place for you to get antibiotics and get instant UTI relief. The doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics delivered to the pharmacy of your choice. There is no need to wait or suffer; get your UTI medication online right away!
FAQs About UTIs Answered By Your Doctors Online Team
Simple infections that are not complicated can clear up in 7 days, but it is advisable to take antibiotics if symptoms worsen.
Increasing your water intake and consuming vitamin C, garlic, cranberries, and probiotics may help resolve a UTI without medication.
It is best to avoid caffeinated drinks, Artificial sweeteners and spicy food if you have a UTI.
Uncomplicated or minor infections can resolve on their own. However, antibiotics are required for complicated infections or symptoms that won’t go away to prevent kidney infection or sepsis.
Antibiotics for UTIs can eliminate the bacteria and resolve the symptoms quickly. Mostly in people with a UTI, symptoms improve 1 to 2 days after starting antibiotics.
Some antibiotics commonly prescribed to get rid of a UTI include Amoxicillin, Cephalexin, Ciprofloxacin, Nitrofurantoin, or Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.
Essential oils haven’t been proven to cure a UTI completely. However, cajeput oil, tea tree oil, lemongrass oil, thyme oil, oregano oil, and clove oil, may help prevent the infection.
In the case of chronic UTIs, long-term, low-dose antibiotics are commonly prescribed.
If an infection is left untreated, it can progress and lead to pyelonephritis (kidney infection) or sepsis(infection in the bloodstream).
