Urinary tract infection: what treatment is needed to cure it quickly?

The urinary system, as a whole or in part, can be subject to bacterial attacks, more commonly known as urinary tract infections (UTIs). Cystitis is the most common urinary infection, mainly affecting women. Have you ever felt pain when you pee or found blood in your urine? It could be a urinary infection.

What is a urinary infection?

Urinary tract infection: definition

The term urinary tract infection refers to a type of pathology affecting the urinary system. The main symptom is a sensation of pain and burning when urinating. Some urinary tract infections are more serious than others, depending on the area affected. The urinary system involves the lower urinary tract (the bladder, urethra and ureters) and the upper urinary tract (the kidneys). When the latter is affected, the urinary infection is more serious.

Worldwide, around 2% to 3% of adult women suffer from a urinary infection each year. Men can also be affected, but to a lesser extent.

The different types of urinary tract infection

There are 3 types of urinary tract infection:

• Acute cystitis: this is most often caused by E.Coli bacteria passing through the urethra. This is the most common bladder infection in women. There are different stages of severity: simple cystitis, cystitis at risk of complications and recurrent cystitis (when it occurs at least 4 times in the same year).
• Acute pyelonephritis: this is an upper urinary tract infection involving the kidneys. It is a possible complication of cystitis.
• Acute prostatitis: this only concerns men and affects the prostate.

Cystitis, a common infection in women

Acute cystitis is the most common urinary infection, particularly affecting women. It is an inflammation of the bladder caused by the proliferation of Escherichia coli bacteria. These bacteria are naturally found in the digestive tract. In the case of cystitis, they migrate into the bladder through the urethra.

To prevent the E.Coli bacteria from entering the bladder through the urethra, particularly during gastroenteritis, it is advisable to wipe thoroughly from front to back if you are a woman, and to take a course of probiotics to prevent urinary tract infection.

In rare cases, cystitis can lead to inflammation of the urethra, known as urethritis.

Good to know: If you experience frequent urinary problems, accompanied by painful periods and pelvic pain, this could be a sign of endometriosis. Consult a doctor for a precise diagnosis.

What causes a urinary infection?

A urinary infection is caused by the presence of bacteria in the urine. In most women, this is the E.Coli bacteria.

There are many possible causes of a urinary tract infection:

• the genital anatomy of the female sex, which facilitates contact with bacteria. Bacteria can travel more easily up the urethra to the bladder and trigger a urinary tract infection;
• sexual intercourse;
• dehydration;
• not urinating frequently enough;
• constipation or diarrhoea.

Good to know: Urine is a fluid made up of 96% water, mineral salts and organic elements. Under normal circumstances, urine does not contain micro-organisms such as bacteria. The urinary system has a natural mechanism for fighting these infections, which can be strengthened by drinking plenty of water.

What are the symptoms of a urinary infection in women?

Signs to recognise

The symptoms of a urinary infection in women are as follows:

• Sensation of urinary pain and burning;
• Frequent urination during the day and even at night;
• Persistent urges to urinate;
• Cloudy urine with a foul odour;
• A feeling of weight in the lower abdomen (pelvic heaviness);
• Presence of blood in the urine;
• No fever in the case of simple cystitis in women.

The symptoms listed above are not systematic and may vary from one woman to another. Nevertheless, the most common symptoms of urinary tract infection in women are urinary burning and a persistent urge to urinate.

However, you should be careful not to confuse the pain of urination with that caused by STIs such as genital herpes. That's why we recommend that you consult a doctor as soon as you notice any of these symptoms.

Urinary tract infection and blood in the urine

Blood in the urine can occur with a urinary tract infection, but this is not necessarily a sign of seriousness or complication. However, you should consult a doctor if you notice any bleeding.

Duration of symptoms

In most cases, symptoms disappear 48 hours after the start of treatment. If symptoms persist beyond this time, you should inform your doctor so that he or she can adapt the treatment. In the case of recurrent or persistent urinary tract infections, it is advisable to have a laboratory examination to identify the bacteria involved, so that treatment can be adapted.

Asymptomatic urinary tract infection

In 40% of cases of urinary tract infection in women, there is no burning or frequent urge to urinate. These are urinary tract infections without symptoms. In this type of situation, the infection passes on its own.

Symptoms of urinary tract infection in men

In men over 60, the most common cause of urinary tract infection is inflammation of the prostate or acute prostatitis. Urinary tract infections in men have the same symptoms as in women, sometimes more painful (burning sensation when urinating, pain in the lower abdomen, sometimes high fever, etc.).

However, cases of urinary tract infection in men are less frequent than in women. This is due to the anatomical difference between men and women. In men, the infection can become complicated and lead to prostate problems. As the prostate acts as a filter, a urinary tract infection is generally considered to be acute prostatitis, especially in men over the age of 50.

Good to know: if you notice a purulent discharge, this is not necessarily a symptom of a urinary infection, but possibly a sexually transmitted infection. This is urethritis, not cystitis.

Symptoms in children and babies

Signs in children

Statistics show that among 6-year-olds, 7% of girls and 2% of boys have at least once contracted a urinary tract infection.

Symptoms include:

• Unexplained fever is the most common sign of urinary tract infection in children;
• Pain in the lower abdomen;
• Painful and frequent urination may also be present in cases of urinary tract infection in children;
• It is advisable to seek immediate medical attention to treat the infection and fever as quickly as possible.

Other signs may include your child eating less, having a bad odour or cloudy-coloured urine, or digestive problems. In all cases, it is advisable to consult a doctor or paediatrician as soon as possible.

Generally speaking, urinary tract infections in children are the result of an anatomical anomaly in the urinary system. If an anatomical cause is detected quickly, the child can be prevented from developing chronic urinary problems.

Recognising a urinary infection in a baby

Less than 2% of babies are affected by bladder inflammation. The babies most affected are those of the male sex with an abnormality of the urinary system. The symptoms of a urinary tract infection in a baby are the same as those in a child, except that the child cannot express the pain.

Here are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection in babies under 3 months of age:

• your baby has a fever
• He is irritable or hypotonic,
• refuses to eat or has gastrointestinal problems.

If you suspect a urinary tract infection in your baby under 3 months of age and he develops a fever, he should be examined by a doctor as soon as possible.

Urinary tract infection: what are the possible complications?

Acute pyelonephritis

One possible complication is acute pyelonephritis. When a urinary tract infection is not treated in time or with the wrong antibiotic, resistant bacteria can travel from the bladder to the kidneys. Pyelonephritis is the most serious condition affecting the urinary system.

Pregnant women are more frequently at risk of developing complications such as pyelonephritis because of the anatomical changes that occur during pregnancy. That's why regular check-ups are carried out with a midwife to ensure that there are no urinary tract infections during pregnancy and to prevent the risk of complications.

Signs of a complicated urinary tract infection

Specifically, in the event of a kidney infection (pyelonephritis), the following symptoms are likely to occur:

• High fever;
• Severe lower back pain, often on the side of the affected kidney;
• Vomiting;
• Chills;
• Weakened general condition.

When the bacteria move up into the kidneys, they cause intense pain. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek immediate emergency care. A complicated urinary tract infection can lead to pyelonephritis, which requires hospitalisation.

Diagnosis of urinary tract infection

Clinical examination

Here's what to do if you have symptoms:

• Describe your symptoms to a GP by teleconsultation
• Receive an antibiotic treatment on prescription if necessary
• Go to a laboratory for a urine analysis
• The doctor will adapt the treatment following the analysis if necessary

During your consultation, the doctor will ask you a series of questions, particularly about your symptoms, in order to assess the situation. He will then perform a urine test using urine strips to confirm the presence of bacteria.

ECBU: the reference test

A urine cytobacteriological examination (UCE) involves analysing a sample of your urine. A urine dipstick taken at the doctor's surgery may or may not indicate a bacterial urinary tract infection, but it does not tell us the origin of the bacteria or the antibiogram. The results of the ECBU enable the doctor to identify the exact bacteria causing the urinary tract infection. He can then prescribe the appropriate antibiotic treatment.

How can a urinary infection be treated quickly?

Antibiotic treatment

To treat a urinary tract infection quickly, often caused by the E.coli bacterium, the doctor may need to prescribe an appropriate course of antibiotics.

A single course of treatment (short course) is most often used as a first-line treatment for a urinary tract infection.

In specific cases, and because a urinary tract infection is very painful, it is very common for the antibiotic to be chosen even before the results of the urine cytobacteriological examination (ECBU).

As soon as the results of the ECBU are available, the doctor can adjust the prescription if necessary.

Good to know: urinary tract infections in men are also treated with antibiotics. It may be a so-called "probabilistic" treatment, prescribed even before the results of the ECBU are available, and which may subsequently be adapted over a much longer period than for women.

Is there an over-the-counter remedy for a urinary tract infection?

The treatment of a urinary infection is generally obtained by prescription, as it involves an antibiotic. Legislation requires that a doctor, or a midwife during pregnancy, prescribe this type of medication, to ensure that it is suitable for you and that you benefit from medical follow-up to readjust your treatment if necessary. Never take an antibiotic you have left in your medicine cabinet to treat a urinary tract infection.

However, there is a quick treatment (Neggram) that can be taken without a prescription on the recommendation of a pharmacist in the event of a urinary infection that is not serious. However, this antibiotic treatment should not be given if there are risk factors for complications of urinary tract infection, such as:

• anatomical malformation
• renal insufficiency
• a pronounced weakening of the immune system.

A pharmacist can also recommend cranberry capsules for prevention or paracetamol for pain relief. You should also consider teleconsulting to obtain rapid medical advice before taking any treatment.

Treating urinary tract infection during pregnancy

Urinary tract infections in pregnant women need to be managed and treated early in pregnancy, as they can lead to complications such as pyelonephritis (kidney infection). It can also have consequences for the development of the foetus or cause premature delivery. However, these risks of complications from infection can easily be avoided.

Given that in some cases there may be few or no symptoms, the doctor or midwife should look for signs of urinary tract infection at each monthly consultation. This particularly precise and sometimes restrictive monitoring is part of a pregnant woman's routine. In the event of an infection, your midwife or doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment so that you can be cured as quickly as possible.

Good to know: pregnant women have more frequent urinary tract infections because of the development of the uterus. The uterus presses on the bladder, causing more frequent urination. Paradoxically, pregnant women often have difficulty emptying their bladder completely because pregnancy hormones reduce its tone.

How can a urinary infection be stopped without medication?

According to doctors, one urinary infection in two can pass on its own, without antibiotics, simply by drinking plenty of water. However, this only applies if the bacteria have not yet had time to proliferate in the bladder. If you experience the symptoms of a urinary tract infection described above, the bacteria are already present and proliferating. In this case, you should seek medical advice, and continue to drink plenty of water.

What natural remedy can I use to treat a urinary infection?

In addition to antibiotic treatment, here is our advice:

• Keep well hydrated: about 1.5 to 2 litres of water a day.
• Also remember to drink herbal teas
• Cranberry juice is said to have antiseptic properties for those who can't drink water alone.

However, this is often not enough to cure your infection and get rid of the E.Coli bacteria in your bladder. Drinking large quantities of cranberry juice will help prevent urinary tract infections, but will not cure them on its own. It's best to consult a doctor at the first sign.

Good to know: a urinary tract infection is not indicative of poor intimate hygiene and there's nothing to be ashamed of - it can happen to any woman. On the other hand, a urinary infection will not go away with soap or better intimate hygiene at the time. What's more, excessive hygiene tends to unbalance the vaginal flora and can encourage the onset of cystitis or vaginosis.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between cystitis and a urinary infection?

The term "urinary tract infection" covers a category of conditions affecting the urinary tract, including cystitis. A cystitis is therefore a urinary tract infection, but a urinary tract infection is not necessarily a cystitis.

How can I see a doctor quickly to get a prescription?

You can consult a doctor during the day thanks to teleconsultation on Qare, from 6am to midnight every day. It's fast, secure and you'll receive an online prescription that can be used in a pharmacy once you've described your symptoms to a doctor. Book an appointment now.

Is a urinary infection contagious?

No, it is not contagious. You cannot infect those around you by using the same toilet, for example. You can have sex with your partner without passing it on to him or her. However, if you are suffering from a urinary infection, it is advisable not to have sexual intercourse for the duration of the infection so that it can be treated in the best possible conditions.

In men, urethritis is a sexually transmitted infection. The symptoms may resemble those of a urinary infection, but this is not the case. It is important to consult a doctor to check the diagnosis and to protect yourself during sexual intercourse so as not to transmit the disease.

What is a short course of treatment for a urinary infection?

This is the treatment most often given as a first resort for a urinary tract infection. The minute treatment is an antibiotic treatment in a single-dose sachet. It is fosfomycin. It is taken in a single dose, on an empty stomach 2 hours before and after the infection, preferably in the evening whenever possible, but not necessarily.

Symptoms subside within a few hours. If the symptoms do not subside, the doctor will have to adapt the antibiotic treatment according to the results of the cytobacteriological examination of the urine carried out beforehand. If in doubt, consult a doctor! It is very important that a urinary tract infection is treated correctly to prevent recurrences and avoid developing resistance to antibiotics.

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