Cystitis - acute

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Female urinary tract

Male urinary tract

Uncomplicated urinary tract infection; UTI - acute; Acute bladder infection; Acute bacterial cystitis

Antibiotics taken by mouth are usually recommended because there is a risk that the infection can spread to the kidneys.

• For a simple bladder infection, you will take antibiotics for 3 days (women) or 7 - 14 days (men). For a bladder infection with complications such as pregnancy or diabetes, OR a mild kidney infection, you will usually take antibiotics for 7 - 14 days.
• It is important that you finish all the antibiotics, even if you feel better. People who do not finish their antibiotics may develop an infection that is harder to treat.

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Commonly used antibiotics include trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin, Augmentin, doxycycline, and fluoroquinolones. Your doctor will also want to know whether you are pregnant.

Your doctor may also recommend drugs to relieve the burning pain and urgent need to urinate. Phenazopyridine hydrochloride (Pyridium) is the most common of this type of drug. You will still need to take antibiotics.

Everyone with a bladder or kidney infection should drink plenty of water.

Some women have repeat or recurrent bladder infections. Your doctor may suggest several different ways of treating these.

• Taking a single dose of an antibiotic after sexual contact may prevent these infections, which occur after sexual activity.
• Some women may need to have a 3-day course of antibiotics at home to use for infections, based on their symptoms.
• Some women may also try taking a single, daily dose of an antibiotic to prevent infections.

Over-the-counter products that increase acid in the urine, such as ascorbic acid or cranberry juice, may be recommended to decrease the concentration of bacteria in the urine.

Follow-up may include urine cultures to make sure the bacterial infection is gone.

See also: Catheter-associated UTI

Most cases of cystitis are uncomfortable, but go away without complications after treatment.

• Acute kidney failure
• Chronic or recurrent urinary tract infection
• Kidney infection

Call your health care provider if:

• You have symptoms of cystitis
• You have already been diagnosed and symptoms get worse
• New symptoms develop, particularly fever, back pain, stomach pain, or vomiting

Review Date: 09/17/2010
Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).