Preventing Antibiotic Misuse in UTI Treatment for Elderly: A Guide to Responsible Antibiotic Use
03-10-24
Antibiotics are antibacterial medications. Doctors frequently prescribe antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs). The following are the most common UTI symptoms:
●A strong desire to urinate frequently.
●When you urinate, you get a burning sensation.
However, many elderly people receive urinary tract infection treatment despite the fact that they do not exhibit these symptoms. This has the potential to cause more harm than good.
Antibiotics are usually ineffective when there are no uti symptoms.
Bacteria are frequently found in the urine of the elderly. This does not necessarily imply that they have a UTI. However, doctors may find the bacteria in a routine test and still prescribe antibiotics.
Antibiotics are not of help to these patients.
●It does not protect against UTIs.
●It has no effect on bladder control.
●It does not help with balance or memory issues
Unless they have UTI symptoms, most older people should not be tested or treated for a UTI. And, if you do have a UTI and are treated, you usually do not need another test to determine whether you are cured. Only get tested or treated if your UTI symptoms return.
Antibiotics have unintended consequences.
Side effects of antibiotics tablets include fever, rash, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, tendon ruptures, and nerve damage.
Antibiotics have the potential to cause future problems.
Antibiotics have the ability to kill "friendly" germs in the body. This may result in vaginal yeast infections. Other infections, severe diarrhea, hospitalization, and even death can result.
Antibiotics may also promote the growth of "drug-resistant" bacteria. These bacteria are more difficult to eradicate. They cause illnesses that are more difficult to treat and more expensive to treat. Your doctor may need to try a number of antibiotics. This raises the possibility of complications. Resistant bacteria can also spread to others.
Antibiotics can be expensive.
Antibiotics on prescription can range in price from ten to more than a hundred rupees. If you get an infection caused by resistant bacteria, you may need more doctor visits and more expensive medications.
When should older people take antibiotics for a urinary tract infection?
Antibiotics can help if you have UTI symptoms.
The most common UTI symptoms are a painful, burning sensation when urinating and a strong desire to "go" frequently. Fever, chills, and confusion are common UTI symptoms in the elderly. These symptoms are usually accompanied by pain on one side of the back below the ribs or discomfort in the lower abdomen. There may be a change in the appearance or odor of the urine.
Some types of surgery, such as prostate surgery and procedures to remove kidney stones or bladder tumors, can result in urinary tract bleeding. If you have this surgery, you may require testing and treatment for bacteria in your urine.