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Treatments for Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

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Urinary tract infections are primarily treated with antibiotic medications. The goals of treatment are to eliminate the bacteria causing the infection and to relieve the discomfort.

Treatment involves the following:

Lifestyle changesMedicationsAlternative and complementary treatments

Surgery is generally not considered for the treatment of urinary tract infections. Surgery may be considered if there are other problems, such as kidney or bladder stones, a prolapsed bladder, or an enlarged prostate.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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References

  • American Foundation for Urologic Disease website. Available at: http://www.urologyhealth.org/ .

  • Griffith’s 5-Minute Clinical Consult. 2001 ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2001.

  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: http://www2.niddk.nih.gov/ .

  • Urinary Tract Infections in Adults. American Urological Association Foundation website. Available at: http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=07&topic=147 . Accessed July 31, 2010.

  • Urinary tract infections in adults. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/utiadult/ . Published December 2005. Accessed July 31, 2010.

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