6-7 East Street, Ware, Herts. SG12 9HJ
Tel: 01920 468777
Fax: 01920 484892 www.dolphinhousesurgery.co.uk
Urine infection, known as U.T.I., is very common indeed and a frequent reason for contacting the surgery. We follow National Guidelines with management and treatment. You may be asked to drop in a urine specimen at first rather than having an appointment.
The management depends on the sex and age of the patient.
Women under 65 years of age
Usually present with ‘cystitis’. The symptoms can involve frequency (going more often) and burning on passing urine (dysuria). There may be blood in the urine and the urine may be smelly and/or cloudy.
If the discomfort is all low down and kidney infection is not suspected then a three day course of antibiotics is all that is needed. The duty doctor or triage nurse may not need to see you unless you are very unwell or you keep getting infections. You may be asked to drop in a urine specimen for the Dr or Nurse to ‘dipstick’ to confirm diagnosis. If you have bled we recommend a follow up dipstick to confirm the blood has gone unless there is a logical explanation such as a period.
If a kidney infection is suspected (fever/back ache) then not only will antibiotics be required for 7 days or more but you will need seeing at some stage depending on how ill you are at the time. Once better, an appointment will need to take place to decide if further tests are necessary.
Older women
Older woman with or without catheters are harder to diagnose and dipsticks can be misleading. Treatment will depend on various factors and are more likely to need a specimen going to the lab for more detailed analysis. Whether you see the Dr/Nurse at the time or once the result is back (3 days) will depend on how unwell you are.
Pregnant women
Require a 7 day course of antibiotics. A specimen and an appointment at the time (if unwell) or afterwards to determine further checks will be required with the doctor or midwife.
Men
Men are more complicated as often there is prostatitis as well (inflammation of the prostate).
The patient will need up to 14 days of antibiotics and depending on how often it is occurring,
Dr M. Baverstock, Dr D. Maddams, Dr J. Watson, Dr M. Davies,
Dr R. Morgan, Dr F. O’Reilly, Mrs J. O’Brien (Managing Partner)

further investigations such as a scan. If already investigated or it is the first attack a specimen and treatment may be all that is required.
Children
Children are ‘allowed’ one urine infection, treated but only investigated further if concerns.
Again, a specimen may be all that is required at the time depending on how unwell with follow up at a later date. Children under 3 and boys need closer watching for recurrence and will need further tests if this occurs.
What can I do to reduce UTI risk?
Cranberry Juice at 200mg a day (adults )seems effective in reducing UTI particularly in women with a history of recurrent infection. Capsules may be easier than juice.
Drink plenty (2 litres for adults ) and empty the bladder often
Women and girls should wipe themselves from front to back.
Avoid bubble bath
Empty the bladder after sex
Older women should discuss vaginal dryness with their Dr or nurse
All men should report poor urine stream if leading to infections
Dr M. Baverstock, Dr D. Maddams, Dr J. Watson, Dr M. Davies,
Dr R. Morgan, Dr F. O’Reilly, Mrs J. O’Brien (Managing Partner)

Dolphin House 2013
Ref NICE/SIGN Guidance
Dr M. Baverstock, Dr D. Maddams, Dr J. Watson, Dr M. Davies,
Dr R. Morgan, Dr F. O’Reilly, Mrs J. O’Brien (Managing Partner)