What may be done to treat a urinary tract infection?
• Tests: You will need to give a urine sample, which will be sent to the lab for tests. • Treatment: Usually a UTI can be treated at home. If the UTI gets worse, or treatments do not work to cure it, you may need to go into the hospital. You may need to take one or more of the following medicines to treat your UTI: • Antibiotics: You may need to take this medicine if bacteria have caused the UTI. Antibiotics (an-ti-bi-AH-tiks) kill bacteria. Always take this medicine exactly as directed by your caregiver. Keep taking it as ordered until it all gone, unless your caregiver tells you not to. Some antibiotics decrease how well birth control pills work. Ask your caregiver for instructions if you take birth control pills. You may need to use a condom or other birth control. You may need to take antibiotics every day if your UTIs come back. • Urinary pain medicine: This medicine may be given for one to two days to decrease pain and the need to urinate often. It does not treat a UTI. Do not ta
