Cystitis leaflet

Why you may not need an
antibiotic?
Doctors are not keen to give antibiotics unless there is
a real need. There are two reasons for this. Firstly using
antibiotics too much, or when they are not needed,
encourages bacteria to become resistant. This means
the antibiotic will no longer be effective against the
bacteria. Secondly antibiotics themselves can cause side
effects such as diarrhoea, skin rashes and stomach upsets.
C
?
Mild urinary tract infections generally get better on their
own. If you visit your doctor, and you have more severe
symptoms, he/she may consider giving you a prescription
for an antibiotic. If so, he or she will probably want to
do a urine test first, in order to help him/her decide on
the best treatment.
i
t
t
i
s
s
y
If you would like to find out more about self-treating
common health problems ask your pharmacist or call the
free healthline 0500 20 20 30. You can also call into the
healthpoint in Aberdeen Indoor Market, 8-10 Market
Street, Aberdeen or 239 High Street, Elgin to find out
more about keeping healthy all year round.
Other leaflets available:
There is plenty you can do yourself
to help relieve your symptoms.
Cough
Sinusitis
Sore throat
Acne
Earache
Flu
If you require this information in
large print, audio or another language
please call the free healthline
0500 20 20 30
Cough
Information obtained from the Department of Health,
NHS Direct Healthcare Guide and local healthcare professionals.
Sinusitis
Sore
throat
Acne
Earache
Flu
Designed and produced by Corporate Communications,
© NHS Grampian 2007.
CGD 070310
So what
can you do?
What is cystitis?
If you need to pass water often, you get a burning or
stinging feeling when you do, and you have no discharge,
you probably have cystitis. This may be due to bacteria
causing inflammation of the wall of the bladder.
Women get this more often than men because their
urethra (the passage from the bladder to the outside)
is shorter and it is easier for bacteria to get into the
bladder.
What can you do?
• Drink plenty of fluids - at least 2 litres a day.
Cranberry juice may be helpful, and is also
available in capsules.
Contact your medical practice if --
• Take paracetamol.
• the symptoms are severe
• A covered hot water bottle on your tummy may
also help.
• there is no improvement after two days
• Avoid sexual intercourse until the problem
is better.
These symptoms are not
common in men. If men
think they have cystitis
they should contact their
doctor. Similarly, if you
think your child has cystitis
contact your doctor.
Should you contact your
medical practice?
• Avoid soap in the bath, if possible have
showers instead.
• you feel worse (such as developing a
temperature, or pain in the kidney area of
your back)
• there is blood in your urine
• you have a vaginal discharge.
• Avoid ‘feminine’ deodorants.
If you visit your doctor please take a fresh urine sample
with you in a clean container.
How can your
pharmacist help?
Pharmacists are highly-trained health professionals. They
can advise on which over-the-counter medication will
help relieve the symptoms of cystitis, and whether or not
you need to see a doctor.
Pharmacists can also help with any queries you may have
about medicines which your doctor may have prescribed.
You don’t need an appointment to see your pharmacist.
Remember to tell your pharmacist if you are taking any
other medication.
You can avoid cystitis by always
drinking plenty of fluids, at least
two litres a day and urinating
as soon as you feel the need and
especially after sexual
intercourse. This rinses your
bladder and keeps it healthy and
clear of infection.
Cranberry juice may be useful to
prevent recurrent infection.
The presence of bacteria in the
urine is not necessarily a symptom
of disease.