Antibiotics Still Best For Suspected UTI

Dr Linda Calabresi

writer

Dr Linda Calabresi

GP; Medical Editor, Healthed

Dr Linda Calabresi

At a time when there is increasing pressure on GPs not to prescribe antibiotics, a new primary care study endorsing their role in the early treatment of uncomplicated UTI makes a welcome change.

The trial, recently published in the BMJ showed that not only did early antibiotic treatment for a lower UTI significantly shorten the duration of symptoms, it also reduced the risk of the patient developing pyelonephritis.

However, the researchers stopped short of recommending all women with lower UTI symptoms commence antibiotics at first presentation. In deference to the rising rates of antibiotic resistance against UTI-causing bacteria, and the fact that little harm came to the women who were originally in the NSAID group but were eventually put on antibiotics, they effectively suggest a ‘just in case’ script.

PASSWORD RESET

Forgot your password or password not working? Please enter your email address. You will receive an email with the link to set a new password.

Icon 2

NEXT LIVE Webcast

:
Days
:
Hours
:
Minutes
Seconds
Dr Jo-Ann See

Dr Jo-Ann See

Management of Acne in Teens

Dr Robert Hungerford

Dr Robert Hungerford

An Update on Heart Failure in General Practice

Dr Michael Selby

Dr Michael Selby

Scoliosis in Children: Preventing Surgery

A/Prof Yvonne Zissiadis

A/Prof Yvonne Zissiadis

Innovations in Breast Radiation

Join us for the next free webcast for GPs and healthcare professionals

High quality lectures delivered by leading independent experts

Once you confirm you’ve read this article you can complete a Patient Case Review to earn 0.5 hours CPD in the Reviewing Performance (RP) category.

Select ‘Confirm & learn‘ when you have read this article in its entirety and you will be taken to begin your Patient Case Review.

I invite you to join the upcoming Healthed webcast where I will give an update on current radiation therapy regimens and the potential side effects of this treatment. In addition, I will present the latest learnings from breast cancer research, including the increasing recognition of the value of exercise as part of effective breast cancer management.

Tuesday 5th August, 7pm AEST