Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect your urinary tract, including your bladder (cystitis), urethra (urethritis), or kidneys (kidney infection). UTIs can be treated with antibiotics, but they're not always needed.
Symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) may include:
- pain or a burning sensation when peeing (dysuria)
- needing to pee more often than usual during the night (nocturia)
- pee that looks cloudy, dark or has a strong smell
- needing to pee suddenly or more urgently than usual
- needing to pee more often than usual
- blood in your pee
- lower tummy pain or pain in your back, just under the ribs
- a high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
- a very low temperature below 36C
Things you can do yourself
To help ease symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI):
- take paracetamol up to 4 times a day to reduce pain and a high temperature – for people with a UTI, paracetamol is usually recommended over NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or aspirin
- rest and drink enough fluids so you pass pale urine regularly during the day
- avoid having sex
Some people take cystitis sachets or cranberry drinks and products every day to prevent UTIs from happening, which may help. However, there's no evidence they help ease symptoms or treat a UTI if the infection has already started.
Antibiotics for more severe infections
Although the self-help advice above can help with a minor infection, sometimes you may need stronger medication to help clear a UTI. Should you have symptoms of moderate or severe infections, one of our specially trained Pharmacists may be able to prescribe antibiotics to treat this. This service is currently available in the following stores only:
- Ardglass
- Ballywalter
- Fivemiletown
- Mill Street - Newry
- Railway Street - Armagh
Please contact your nearest participating pharmacy for further information - Click Here