Recurring Urinary Tract Infection: Prevention & Expectations (Chronic Urinary Tract Infection, Recurrent UTI, Chronic UTI, Relapsing Urinary Tract Infection, Relapsing UTI, Chronic Cystitis)

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Alternate Names : Chronic Urinary Tract Infection, Recurrent UTI, Chronic UTI, Relapsing Urinary Tract Infection, Relapsing UTI, Chronic Cystitis

Prevention of recurring urinary tract infections can involve several steps:

A woman who develops UTIs after sexual intercourse may take antibiotics, such as sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, before signs of infection occur.

A person who has a urinary catheter in the bladder needs to have the device changed or cleaned often.

Good hygiene is important for everyone, but especially for those who are bedridden and incontinent.

A person should drink 8 glasses of water every day.

A person should urinate when the urge is felt, rather than holding urine in the bladder for long periods of time.

Recurring UTIs can damage the urinary system. A UTI can spread to the blood, causing sepsis. That can cause severe illness and even death.

UTIs are usually not contagious. However, infections of the urethra are generally spread through sexual contact.

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Author: Adam Brochert, MD
Reviewer: Gail Hendrickson, RN, BS
Date Reviewed: 07/27/01

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