When Antibiotics Fail: Why UTI Symptoms Sometimes Stick Around

Antibiotics are commonly used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs), and they can be very effective. But sometimes, these antibiotics fail — and there are several reasons why it might be happening.

You may notice that your UTI‘s symptoms aren’t going away after antibiotic treatment. In some cases, they might be getting worse.

This article explores what might cause antibiotics to fail, and when to ask your doctor for additional testing for persistent UTI symptoms.

Why UTI symptoms can linger after antibiotics

According to a 2019 studyTrusted Source, UTIs are one of the most common types of outpatient infection in the United States. Antibiotics are the first line of treatment for most UTIs.

 

Doctors usually prescribe an antibiotic without performing a urine culture first. This is because almost 90 percent of UTIs are caused by E. coli, and a urine culture is likely to show that it’s the culprit.

 

Unfortunately, UTI treatment don’t always respond the way they’re expected to. There are three primary reasons that this may happen:

• an antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria is causing your UTI
• another type of bacteria, fungi, or virus may be causing your infection
• your UTI may be another condition that has UTI-like symptoms

Antibiotic resistance

When you have an antibiotic-resistant UTI, it means that the bacteria causing your infection isn’t responsive to antibiotic treatment. This happens when bacteria evolve in response to frequent or constant antibiotic use.

 

People with underlying medical conditions or chronic UTIs are at the most risk for antibiotic resistance.

 

Wrong antibiotics

When a urinalysis is performed without an additional urine culture, there’s a risk that the antibiotic prescribed for your infection may not be the right one.

 

This can happen when your UTI is caused by a less common bacteria strain, or even a fungi or virus.

 

ResearchTrusted Source suggests that this practice can also potentially be another cause of antibiotic resistance.

 

Underlying conditions

In some cases, UTIs don’t respond to antibiotics because they’re not a UTI at all. Instead, another underlying condition might be causing UTI-like symptoms.

 

Some of the conditions that cause symptoms that mimic a UTI include:

• acute cystitis
• interstitial cystitis
• overactive bladder
• kidney infection
• kidney stones
• vaginitis
• chlamydia
• gonorrhea
• trichomoniasis
• genital herpes
• bladder cancer
• prostate cancer

Cystitis and kidney infections

Both cystitis and kidney infection can be caused by bacteria from a UTI that has spread to the bladder or kidneys.

 

Like UTIs, these types of infections are often treated with a course of antibiotics. However, some of the potential causes of antibiotic failure for UTIs also apply to these infections, as well.

 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

In addition, common STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, also mimic some of the symptoms associated with UTIs.

 

In the case of an STI infection, antibiotics prescribed for a UTI aren’t likely to be the appropriate treatment for the infection.

 

If you’ve been experiencing UTI-like symptoms that haven’t responded to antibiotic treatment, your doctor should perform additional testing.

What’s next when UTI symptoms linger after antibiotics?

If you have a UTI that isn’t responding to antibiotic treatment, further testing will likely begin with a urine culture to analyze the bacteria causing the infection.

 

If another type of bacteria, fungi, or virus is responsible for your UTI, your doctor will prescribe a more appropriate treatment.

 

There are also some lifestyle changes that can help reduce the frequency of UTIs, as well as the severity of your symptoms.

 

Change your hygiene routine. Reducing your risk of UTIs might begin with a few small changes in hygiene. This includes not holding in your urine, wiping front to back, and peeing after sex.

Drink more water. It should come as no surprise that water is essential for urinary health. A high water intake can help flush bacteria from the urinary tract, reducing the risk of infection.

Incorporate more cranberry juice. CranberriesTrusted Source are a commonly recommended home treatment for UTIs. They can help lower the chance that bacteria will cling to the urinary tract, which reduces the chance of infection.

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables contain high levels of vitamins and minerals that support the immune system. Be sure to add produce that contain high levels of vitamin C, as this particular vitamin may reduce UTI risk.

Take a probiotic. Some probiotics, such as Lactobacillus, may help reduce the risk of UTIs. Plus, probiotics can help to restore the good bacteria in your body after a course of antibiotics.

Consider a supplement. Cranberry extract and garlic extract are just some of the supplements that been researched as potential UTI treatments. Consider adding some to your routine to help reduce the frequency and severity of UTIs.

It’s important to note that these recommendations work best for UTIs, bladder infections, and kidney infections, as these three conditions are treated similarly.

 

If you’ve been diagnosed with another underlying condition that’s causing your symptoms, your treatment will likely be different.

 

Link between cancer and UTI symptoms lingering after antibiotics

Some researchTrusted Source has suggested that UTI frequency may be linked to an increase in bladder cancer risk. However, the research on this is sparse.

 

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a link between UTI-like symptoms and cancer. In fact, there are two types of cancer that can cause UTI-like symptoms: bladder cancer and prostate cancer.

 

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed below, talk to your doctor so a proper diagnosis can be made.

 

Bladder cancer

Bladder cancer symptoms strongly resemble the symptoms associated with UTIs.

However, these symptoms won’t go away with antibiotic treatment and, instead, will become more severe over time.

These symptoms may include:

• painful urination
• frequent urination
• increased urge to urinate
• blood in the urine
• urinary incontinence
• pain in the abdomen or lower back

Prostate cancer

Like bladder cancer, prostate cancer shares a handful of symptoms with UTIs. Prostate cancer won’t respond to antibiotics and, over time, these symptoms can become more severe.

Symptoms of prostate cancer may include:

• frequent urination
• reduced urine stream
• blood in the urine
• erectile dysfunction
• pain in the pelvis, back, or chest

Takeaway

Most UTIs resolve quickly with a course of antibiotics, with most UTI symptoms resolving in a matter of days.

Sometimes, persistent UTI-like symptoms may indicate another issue, such as antibiotic resistance, improper treatment, or an underlying condition.

 

It’s always important to reach out to your doctor if you’re concerned about UTI symptoms that don’t resolve with antibiotic treatment.