Burning or stinging when passing urine

Need to pass urine more often

Passing only small amounts of urine at a time

Fever, feeling unwell, chills, vomiting

Blood in the urine

Discoloured, smelly or cloudy urine

Pain in lower stomach or lower back

Some people, such as the elderly, pregnant women and people with diabetes, bowel or kidney disease, tend to get UTIs more often. People who have catheters (tubes) fitted into their urethras after surgery are also more likely to suffer from a UTI.

Mild UTIs may go away without medical treatment. The Self Care tips found on this page can help you. These tips, and the prevention information, are directed more at women but are equally applicable to men.

Drink 2-3 glasses of water as soon as you feel the symptoms. Continue to drink as much water as you can - about 8 glasses in 24 hours. This can help flush bacteria out of your urinary tract

Rest and keep warm - a hot water bottle on your stomach may help with any pain

Avoid alcohol, fruit juices, strong coffee, tea or fizzy drinks as they make your urine more acidic

Avoid having sex, or using diaphragms and spermicides, until the infection clears.

Avoid using tampons - use sanitary pads

Don’t use vaginal deodorants or douches

Wear underwear with cotton gussets. You can use panty liners and change them a few times a day.

Take a pain reliever, such as paracetamol, if needed

Drink urinary alkalinisers. They make the urine less acid and help to reduce burning when passing urine. These are available at Moyle’s Pharmacy. Check with your pharmacist before using such products as they may interact with other medicines you take.

You should see a doctor if:

Your symptoms last for more than 24 hours

You have a fever, nausea or vomiting

There is pain or tenderness in your lower stomach or back

There is blood in your urine or you have an unusual vaginal discharge

You have the symptoms of a UTI and you are, or think you could be, pregnant

You have UTI’s that keep coming back

Men and children with symptoms of a urinary tract infection must always see their doctors

You may require antibiotics for your UTI.

Our accredited pharmacists can supply an antibiotic without a prescription but only under specific circumstances and in limited quantities.

Please come in to speak to one of our accredited pharmacists. You may feel better in a few days but it is important to finish the antibiotics, to stop the current infection coming back.

If your UTI lasts a long time or you keep getting new cases of the problem, you may need to take antibiotics for a longer time. You may also need to have special tests or X-ray to check your urinary tract. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicine, or have any medical conditions

Drink as much water as you can on a regular basis - about 8 glasses in 24 hours

Take time to empty your bladder completely each time you pass urine

Go to the toilet as soon as you feel the need - don’t try to hold on

Use toilet paper as a blotter after passing urine, rather than wiping

Wipe your bottom gently from front to back after passing stools. Use soft damp tissues.

Use each piece of toilet paper once only

Use a mild unperformed soap to wash the area around your bottom, and wipe gently

Pass urine straight after sex to flush out any bacteria

Use a water-based, rather than oil-based, lubricating gel for sex if your vagina is dry

Wash your genital area before and after having sex

Wear loose-fitting trousers and underwear with cotton gussets - so heat and moisture do not get trapped

Drink cranberry juice as it may help prevent bacteria attaching to your bladder. However, if you take medicines on a regular basis, consult your pharmacist or doctor first before beginning regular cranberry juice.