Urine Infection (cont.)
Medical Author:
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhDDr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications. Medical Editor:
Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP
Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEPDr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident. In this Article
 Is it possible to prevent recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) with a vaccine?Currently, there are no commercially available vaccines for UTIs, either recurrent or first-time infections. One of the problems in developing a vaccine is that so many different organisms can cause infection; a single vaccine would be difficult to synthesize to cover them all. Even with E. coli causing about 80% of all infections, the subtle changes in antigenic structures that vary from strain to strain further complicates vaccine development even for E. coli. Researchers are still investigating ways to overcome the problems in UTI vaccine development; injected, oral, mucosal, and nasal preparations are being investigated. Can a urinary tract infection (UTI) be prevented?Many methods have been suggested to reduce or prevent UTIs. Some of these are considered home remedies and have been discussed (see above home remedies section). There are other suggestions that may help prevent UTIs. Good hygiene for males and females is useful; for females, wiping from front to back helps keep pathogens that may reside or pass through the anal opening away from the urethra; for males, retracting the foreskin before urinating reduces the chance of urine lingering at the urethral opening and acting as a culture media for pathogens. Incomplete bladder emptying and resisting the normal urge to urinate can allow pathogens to survive and replicate easier in a non-flowing system. Some clinicians recommend washing before and urinating soon after sex to reduce the chance of urethritis/cystitis. Many clinicians suggest that anything that causes a person irritation in the genital area (for example, tight clothing, deodorant sprays, or other feminine products like bubble bath) may encourage UTI development. Wearing underwear that is somewhat adsorptive (for example, cotton) may help wick away urine drops that otherwise may be areas for pathogen growth. Reviewed by Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP on 2/1/2013 Patient CommentsViewers share their comments
Urinary Tract Infection In Adults - Symptoms
Question: What were the symptoms of your urinary tract infection?
Urinary Tract Infection In Adults - Complications
Question: Have you ever had a complication of a urinary tract infection (UTI)? Please share your story.
Urinary Tract Infection In Adults - Medications
Question: Which medications have you used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs)?
Urinary Tract Infection In Adults - Effective Treatments
Question: What kinds of treatments have been effective for your urinary tract infection?
Urinary Tract Infection In Adults - Home Remedies
Question: In addition to medication prescribed by your doctor, please share home remedies for treating a UTI.
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