Urinary Tract Infection Treatment
Who is eligible for treatment?
Specific eligibility criteria are in place to ensure patients receive safe and appropriate care.
To access treatment you must be:
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female*,
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aged between 18 to 65 years (inclusive), and
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displaying symptoms consistent with an uncomplicated UTI, such as burning or stinging pain when you urinate, and frequent need to urinate.
The pharmacist will as​k you additional questions during the consult to check if they can provide you with treatment. If you receive care at the pharmacy, your pharmacist will notify your doctor.
Current Therapeutic Guidelines suggest that uncomplicated UTIs (in adult females* younger than 65) can often can be successfully managed without antibiotics, with symptoms resolving within one week. Your pharmacist should discuss this option with you during the consultation. ​
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria to receive the service by a pharmacist, your pharmacist will refer you to appropriate alternative care, such as your GP.
Urinary tract infection (Cystitis)
What is a Urinary Tract Infection ?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection involving any part of the body’s
urinary system – kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra. UTIs are common,
especially in females and the elderly. Bladder infection, also called cystitis,
is the most common type of UTI.
Most UTIs are caused by bacteria which normally live harmlessly in the bowel. If these bacteria spread from the anus to the urethra and up into the urinary system they can cause:
• Urethritis – infection in the urethra
• Cystitis – infection in the bladder
• Pyelonephritis – infection in the kidneys.
Most UTIs cannot be passed from person to person. However, some types of urethritis can be caused by sexually transmitted infections (e.g. chlamydia).
Signs and Symptoms
The main symptoms of cystitis are:
• a prickly, stinging or burning feeling
when passing urine
• a strong urge to urinate often
• pain in the lower abdomen (belly).
Cystitis may also cause cloudy, bloody or strong-smelling urine.
Symptoms of cystitis can be mild or severe, but cystitis is not usually a
serious condition.
Kidney infection can cause fever, chills, nausea, vomiting and back or side
pain, with or without the symptoms of cystitis. A kidney infection is serious and needs urgent treatment by a doctor.
In young children UTI may cause fever, jaundice, vomiting, lethargy, being
irritable, ‘wetting’ in a child who has been ‘dry’, and poor feeding.
In elderly people UTI may cause confusion, delirium or changes in
behavior.
Treatment
Pain relief
• Urinary alkalinisers (e.g. Ural, Citravescent) make urine less acidic. This reduces the stinging or burning feeling caused by passing urine.
• Simple pain relievers (e.g. paracetamol, ibuprofen) can reduce pain and discomfort.
Ask a pharmacist for advice.
Antibiotics
UTIs usually need to be treated with prescription antibiotics. You can also help to clear cystitis by:
• drinking plenty of fluid, especially water, to flush bacteria out of the urinary tract
• emptying your bladder completely when urinating.
Self care tips
Actions that may reduce the risk of getting UTIs include:
• Drink enough water every day to satisfy your thirst and to keep your
urine ‘light‑coloured’ (unless a doctor advises you not to).
• Urinate when you feel the urge, rather than holding on.
• Empty your bladder completely when urinating.
For females also:
• Wipe from front to back (urethra to anus) after passing urine or emptying your bowels.
• Empty your bladder soon after sex.
• Wash your genital area every day.
• Treat vaginal infections quickly.