Urinary Tract infections are painful, inconvenient and the second largest type of all infections in the UK.
What are the symptoms?
- Needing a wee more often
- Pain or discomfort when having a wee
- Pain in your lower back, or lower tummy
- High temperature.
Advice on how to reduce your risk of getting a UTI –and steps to take if you think you have one.
- Stay hydrated! Good hydration (drinking plenty of fluids) is essential to prevent urinary tract infections
- Drink regularly throughout the day
- Have at least eight BIG drinks each day (at least 150ml) - you can download a handy drinks tracker here. (print and laminate, then use a wipeable marker pen to cross off a tea cup when you have a drink).
- Avoid too many fizzy, caffeinated or alcoholic drinks (water, tea, milk or fruit juice are all fine).
- Make sure that older people or people with dementia are reminded to drink regularly as their sense of thirst can diminish.
- Eat lots of foods such as fruit, salad or jelly, which all contain higher levels of water
- Use the ‘wee scale’ (see drinks bottle scale); one to three is normal wee, four to 8 you must hydrate!
Personal hygiene
- Always wash your hands after going to the toilet, before and after preparing food, and before eating food
- When washing between your legs, always clean from front to back
- If you have a catheter ensure you regularly clean the tube and the area on your body where the tube goes in (penis or urethra)
- If you have trouble with incontinence (wetting yourself), use continence products such as pads, and change them regularly
- Do not use scented wipes or soap when washing between your legs
- Wear cotton underwear
- Always go to the toilet after having sex
- If you develop symptoms such as going for a wee more often, pain or soreness, or wetting yourself, contact your GP straight away – don’t ignore it!