UTIs can affect people of all ages and sexes.
These conditions are common in the United States, particularly with older age.
What’s the Best Treatment?
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UTI treatment in older adults is similar to that of younger adults but with some key differences.
Thechoice of antibioticstends to be more targeted.
Similarly, certain antibiotics can interfere with the control of diabetes and contribute to the onset oftype 2 diabetes.
For an uncomplicated UTI, the following oral antibiotics can be used:
Nitrofurantoin is considered the first-line option.
Fosfomycin is an acceptable alternative if nitrofurantoin cannot be used.
Other antibiotics, including Vantin (cefpodoxime), may be used if these preferred options are unavailable.
Other antibiotics may be chosen for people with indwelling catheters who are more likely to have multidrug-resistant bacteria.
This includes the sudden onset of confusion, bed-wetting, or dementia-like symptoms.
But for those with severe symptoms or recurrent infections, a urine culture is considered essential.
What Happens If a UTI Goes Untreated in Older Adults?
This largely accounts for the onset of delirium along with sleepiness and the loss of appetite.
In urosepsis, the body launches an exaggeratedinflammatory responseto the infection and causes damage to cells and tissues.
Urosepsis is a medical emergency.
Ways to Prevent UTIs
UTIs are common.As such, it can be difficult to avoid.
The symptoms in older adults can differ from those in younger people.
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UCLA Health.7 tips to prevent a UTI.
Alzheimer’s Society.Tips to prevent UTIs in people with dementia.
