Most commonly, your healthcare professional will prescribe an antibiotic.

Once diagnosed, the antibiotic given to you will depend of your health condition and the type of bacteria found in your urine. Make sure your healthcare professional is aware of any other medications you may be on so they can select the best treatment option for you. If prescribed antibiotics, make sure you complete the full course of medication, even if you are starting to feel better. This will help ensure the infection is completely gone from your urethra.

If your symptoms do not improve, or return once your antibiotic treatment has ended, speak with your healthcare professional immediately. Depending on symptoms, your healthcare professional may recommend a low-dose, longer treatment plan, or antibiotics for 1 or 2 days every time symptoms appear. If your infections are related to intercourse, your healthcare professional may recommend a single-dose antibiotic after sexual activity.

You can also speak with your healthcare professional about home remedies that could lessen the discomfort, such as:

• Drinking plenty of water. This will continue to help flush out the bacteria and dilute your urine. Avoid caffeinated beverages, like coffee and soda. These drinks make the body produce more urine at an accelerated rate because of the diuretic effects of caffeine. These drinks can also irritate your bladder.
• Consume cranberries. Consuming fresh or frozen cranberries, or pure (unsweetened) cranberry juice may be beneficial to help reduce the growth of bacteria in your urethra.Speak with your healthcare professional first. If you are on blood-thinning medications consuming cranberry juice may have a negative interaction with your medication.

• Use a heating pad. Heat can help soothe any pain you may have with a UTI. Apply low heat and limit to 15 minutes at a time. Do not apply heating pad directly to the skin.