Duration of Treatment for a Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria (typically from your rectum) gets into your urinary tract and infects the urethra, bladder, ureters or kidneys. The duration of treatment for a urinary tract infection depends upon its severity.
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Time Frame
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According to the Mayo Clinic, if you have a simple urinary tract infection, your doctor will typically prescribe an antibiotic for as little as three days or possibly for a week.
Complications
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If your infection affects the kidneys, you most likely will need treatment for up to three weeks.
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Types
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The duration of your urinary tract infection treatment often varies depending upon the type of antibiotic your doctor prescribes. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, antibiotics for simple urinary tract infections include amoxicillin, ampicillin and nitrofurantoin.
Factors
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Your health history and the type of bacteria that caused your urinary infection are both factors that affect the overall duration of your treatment.
Considerations
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Even if your urinary tract infection symptoms disappear after a couple of days of treatment, make sure you take your antibiotic for the full length of time your doctor has prescribed to ensure that the infection is completely treated.
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