Using antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infection is an infection of parts of the urinary tract, which is characterized by the presence of bacteria in the urine or symptomatic manifestations of bacterial colonization in one or more parts of the urinary tract. urinary.
Depending on which location on the urinary tract is infected, it has its own name. Urinary tract infections can be divided into 2 groups according to anatomical location:
Upper urinary tract infections: Including acute pyelonephritis, chronic pyelonephritis. Lower urinary tract infections: Including cystitis, urethritis and prostatitis.

Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria, so antibiotics are needed to treat the cause.
2.1 Principles of antibiotic use in the treatment of urinary tract infections Antibiotics are usually best used according to the results of the antibiogram. Choose antibiotics appropriate to the patient's age, other medical conditions, and pregnant women. The duration and dose of antibiotics used depends on the severity of the disease. Usually do not use for more than 14 days. Attention should be paid to the selection of antibiotics that are not nephrotoxic, do not reduce the glomerular filtration rate, and the antibiotic dose should be adjusted according to the degree of renal failure. Absolutely do not arbitrarily change the dose, frequency of use of the drug for any reason. If you want to change your prescription. Do not self-medicate with antibiotics because it can cause drug resistance and relapse. Do not have sex while taking the drug. In addition to antibiotic treatment, it is necessary to treat other signs such as: High blood pressure, severe kidney failure, need treatment for kidney failure, dialysis or kidney transplant.

2.2 Antibiotics used in the treatment of urinary tract infections There are many groups of antibiotics that can be selected in the treatment of urinary tract infections. However, depending on the microbial cause of the disease, the appropriate antibiotic group is selected.
Beta lactam group: This is a group of antibiotics with a broad spectrum of action. Antibiotics of this group are safe, have few side effects, can be used for many subjects. Children, pregnant women and the elderly give preference to this group of antibiotics. Some antibiotics and doses used:
Penicillin G, intramuscularly, dose 2-5 million units/day for about 7-14 days. If taking 4-5 million units/day for 7-14 days. Ampicillin, oral dose of 2-6g/day for 7-14 days. Cloxacillin, orally 1-3g/day for 7-14 days. Cephalosporin group: A group of antibiotics quite safe and indicated for many subjects. The effect of this group is to inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis. Bacteria without a cell wall will be destroyed.

Some drugs selected to treat urinary tract infections include:
Cephaloridine: Oral dose of 2g/day divided 2-3 times/day for 7-10 days. Cephapirin: Oral dose of 2g/day divided 2-3 times/day for 7-10 days. Cephalexin (keflex): Oral dose of 2g/day divided 2-3 times/day for 7-10 days. Aminoglycoside group: An antibiotic with a spectrum of activity mainly against gram-negative bacteria. Toxic to nerve VIII and kidney should be used in the absence of renal failure and not for pregnant women. Streptomycin, intramuscular 1-2g/day x 10-14 days. Kanamycin, intramuscular 1-2g/day x 10-14 days. Tobramycin (nebcin), orally 3-5mg/kg/day x 7-10 days. Quinolone group: Has bactericidal effect on gram-negative bacteria. Quinolones inhibit bacterial DNA synthesis, in addition inhibit bacterial protein synthesis, so it has a bactericidal effect. Antibiotics of this group are not used for children under 18 years old, pregnant and lactating women, not for people with G6PD deficiency. Some drugs of choice for the treatment of urinary tract infections include:
Ofloxacin: Oral dose of 400-600mg/day for 7 days. Ciprofloxacin dose 500mg orally twice a day for 7 days Levofloxacin dose 750mg orally once a day for 5 days Sulfamide derivatives: A broad-spectrum synthetic antibiotic that is mainly bacteriostatic and treats pathologies caused by cocci. out. Sulfamides are bacteriostatic because this drug will not allow the body to synthesize folic acid, creating a prerequisite for the growth of bacteria. Note that it is used when there is no kidney failure and not for pregnant women, newborns, people with liver failure, G6PD enzyme deficiency. Some drugs of choice for the treatment of urinary tract infections include Sulfamide, taken 2-4g/day x 10-14 days. Sulfamethoxazole (bactrim), orally 1g/day x 7-14 days. When choosing antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections, it is necessary to consider medical factors or body conditions to limit adverse effects on the body. Especially for young children, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases, it is necessary to use the right antibiotics.
Urinary tract infections can be prevented and treated if the patient detects early signs and actively goes to the doctor for treatment. Absolutely do not self-medicate without a doctor's instructions because it can make the condition worse, causing unnecessary consequences. Currently, Vinmec International Hospital always provides screening packages for urinary tract diseases, this is an effective method to help patients screen for diseases and protect their own health.