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.
If a UTI isn't treated, there's a chance it could spread to the kidneys. In some cases, this can trigger sepsis. This happens when your body becomes overwhelmed trying to fight infection. It can be deadly.
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.
Though most UTIs are effectively treated with antibiotics, in some cases, UTI symptoms can linger even after completing the full course of antibiotic medication prescribed by your doctor.
To find out if you have a kidney infection, doctors may do tests such as: Urine tests to look for bacteria or other signs of infection, such as white blood cells, in your urine. Blood tests. Imaging tests to look at your kidneys, such as an X-ray, ultrasound or CT scan.
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.
Antibiotic resistance occurs when the bacteria develops a way to block the action of the antibiotic, and the bacteria are not killed. Antibiotic-resistant urinary tract infections (UTIs) may require another type or class of drug treatment.
You should also call your doctor if, after taking medicine for 3 days, you still have a burning feeling when you urinate. If you are pregnant, you should also call your doctor if you have any contractions.
How long you take antibiotics for a UTI depends on how severe your UTI is and which antibiotic you're prescribed. Some medications, like fosfomycin, only require one dose. But a more severe UTI might require treatment of 14 days or more. Most UTIs require 3 to 7 days of treatment.
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.”
A kidney infection usually starts out as a urinary tract infection (UTI) that affects the bladder. There's no rule for how long it takes a UTI to spread from your bladder to your kidneys. For a mild kidney infection, treatment can last 7 to 14 days.
When to go to the ER for UTI Symptoms. If your symptoms have progressed to the point of lethargy, pain, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting and/or blood in the urine, you need to get to the nearest Advance ER right away.
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.
What if I do not get better? Tell your doctor if you do not start feeling better after taking trimethoprim for 3 days, or if you start to feel worse at any time.
Antimicrobial resistance happens when germs like bacteria or fungi no longer respond to the drugs designed to kill them. That means these germs are not killed and continue to grow. It does not mean our body is resistant to antibiotics or antifungals.
The irritation can cause pain in your lower abdomen or pelvic area and even lower back, and will usually make you feel like urinating more often. Burning or pain when urinating is the most common symptom. You may even feel a strong urge or need to urinate but only get a few drops.
Pain, pressure or tenderness in your abdomen and pubic area is common with a bladder infection. If the pain moves to your lower back, it could be an indication that the infection has spread to your kidneys.
So, if it's not a UTI, what else could it be? Several other infectious and non-infectious disease processes can cause symptoms that mimic a UTI. These include conditions such as vaginitis, overactive bladder, and kidney stones; some sexually transmitted infections (STIs); and diseases such as bladder cancer.
Painful Bladder Syndrome (PBS)
PBS is not caused by an infection, but it can feel like a urinary tract infection or UTI. Painful bladder syndrome is also referred to as bladder pain syndrome and interstitial cystitis.
In the United States, UTIs result in an estimated 7 million office visits, 1 million emergency department visits, and over 100000 hospitalizations with an associated annual cost of $1.6 billion [2, 5, 6]. The majority of UTIs are treated on an outpatient basis [7].
Typically, you only need to take them for 3 to 7 days, and most people start to feel relief within the first few days.