How long will a UTI last without antibiotics? Many times a UTI will go away on its own. In fact, in several studies of women with UTI symptoms, 25% to 50% got better within a week — without antibiotics.
According to a 2014 study published in JAMA, UTIs can resolve on their own within one week without antibiotics in 25% to 50% of women with these infections. “The body can fight a urinary tract infection on its own by recruiting white blood cells to kill the bacteria,” says Dr. Tharakan.
How long does a UTI last untreated? Some UTIs will go away on their own in as little as 1 week. However, UTIs that do not go away on their own will only get worse over time. If you think you have a UTI, speak with a doctor about the best course of action.
If your UTI goes untreated, it may progress into a more serious infection. “An untreated bladder infection can become a kidney or prostate infection. These infections are more serious, because they can travel through the blood stream causing sepsis. Sepsis makes people very ill and can even be critical,” Dr.
“It's estimated 50 percent of UTIs can be treated by drinking a significant amount of fluid alone," says Felecia Fick, a Mayo Clinic urogynecology physician assistant who was not involved in the study. "The extra you're drinking is flushing out the bacteria that are present in the urinary tract."
When left untreated, the infection from a UTI can actually move throughout the body—becoming very serious and even life threatening. If you do not treat a bladder infection, it may turn into a kidney infection, which can then result in a more serious infection that's moved into the blood stream.
As mentioned, antibiotics are typically needed to treat a UTI, so it's important to seek prompt care if you notice the signs of one. Especially if: Your symptoms are severe or getting worse. Your symptoms don't improve after a few days.
You'll have to take another pee test to make sure you're officially rid of that awful UTI. Never assume your urinary tract infection magically vanished on its own, because bacteria is “sticky,” and isn't easily removed from the urinary tract.
So, what should you drink for a UTI instead? Water is by far the best beverage choice for someone with a UTI. Drinking at least 12 8-ounce cups of water each day while you have an infection will help flush the bacteria from your system and can speed up the healing process.
Generally, you should see a doctor if you begin to develop UTI symptoms that go on longer than two to three days. Without treatment, a minor infection could spread to your kidneys, putting you at risk for organ damage and serious blood infections.”
If diagnosed early, most UTIs can be treated at home with a course of antibiotics. However, it's important to see our team at Physicians Medical Urgent Care as soon as you notice UTI symptoms because there are multiple types of bacteria that can cause UTIs.
Additionally, a number of common foods and drinks — artificial sweeteners, spicy foods, alcohol, coffee, acidic fruits, citrus, or caffeinated drinks — can irritate your bladder, and may worsen UTI symptoms — so you should steer clear of them if you have signs of a bladder infection.
Many times a UTI will go away on its own. In fact, in several studies of women with UTI symptoms, 25% to 50% got better within a week — without antibiotics.
Typically, you only need to take them for 3 to 7 days, and most people start to feel relief within the first few days.
UTIs can last up to 14 days in cisgender men, says AUA. It's less common for men to get UTIs, but when they do get this type of infection, it's considered complicated and treated on the same timeline as complicated UTIs in women.
To help your recovery, you need to rest. But it can be difficult to sleep with some of the uncomfortable symptoms that may accompany a UTI. Here are some things you can do at home to help you sleep comfortably: Drink plenty of water during the day to help flush out bacteria.
Cranberry, mannose, and probiotics are frequently used for recurrent UTI, and berberine and uva ursi are prescribed for acute UTI. Potassium salt supplements reduce dysuria by alkalinizing the urine. Application of estriol cream and supplement of vitamins A and C were considered to be effective to prevent UTI [4].
During the infection — and after — make sure to drink a lot of water, at least 12 8-ounce cups per day. This will flush out your system and help prevent future infections. If you feel like you've got to go, GO! Don't hold it, as this simply delays getting rid of more bacteria.
Of course, make sure your bladder is completely empty before going to bed. You might also consider setting alarms during the night so that you can wake up and use the bathroom. Tools like a hot water bottle, heating pad, or even over-the-counter pain relievers can all help you with nighttime discomfort, too.
A randomized trial of women in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark has found that ibuprofen is not a suitable alternative to antibiotics for treating uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs).
The length of treatment for your symptoms will depend on the cause. If your doctor confirms that you have a simple UTI, expect symptoms to disappear within 3-10 days. If your doctor says your UTI is more severe, it may take several weeks for the infection to clear and your symptoms to disappear.
Bladder infections are a type of UTI, but not all urinary tract infections are bladder infections. A UTI is defined as an infection in one or more places in the urinary tract—the ureters, kidneys, urethra, and/or bladder. A bladder infection is a UTI that's only located in the bladder.