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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
My wife has a burning sensation in her urethral opening. She was soaking in a bathtub, so we think soap is the culprit. The problem is we are abroad and have no access to any antibiotics. The symptoms started yesterday after a long walk, and her soaking in the bathtub was the day before that. She had a burning sensation during urination but nothing severe, with no bleeding, no back pain, and no cloudy urine. Today she had no pain when she urinated but went out for a walk, and again she had a burning sensation during urination. When sitting on a chair, she says she can feel the pain in certain positions or when she coughs. The pain is not pain, and she also did not have a fever. Is it due to a UTI or an irritated urethral opening?
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
This could be an inflammatory reaction from the soap or a urinary tract infection (UTI). It is difficult to differentiate clinically as symptoms are similar, but the allergy reduces in one day as she does not expose herself to the soap. UTI persists for a long time. If she got relief, then it is likely due to inflammation. Avoid irritants and see for 24 hours. If she still has the symptoms, we can consider it a UTI, and she will need antibiotics for its treatment. Mostly we prescribe Ciprofloxacin 500 mg twice daily for five days for a simple UTI. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with them, and take medications with their consent.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Can the burning sensation come and go with a UTI? Should I consult a doctor today or tomorrow?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
If it is a UTI (urinary tract infection), you need to consult a doctor and get it treated. A UTI would not heal without antibiotics. But as you are away, wait for a day and see. If still burning sensation persists, then consult a doctor. You can wait if she is fine and there is no inflammation.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
We went to the hospital, and they only managed a blood test because we were traveling. The doctor said there were no inflammation signs and no kidney stones on ultrasound. He said to take the tablet Nitrofurantoin. Is this good for a UTI? Also, he said to consult a gynecologist if the symptoms persist, which I find strange. Could you help explain why a gynecologist would be needed in this situation?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes, Nitrofurantoin is fine. But Ciprofloxacin 500 mg twice daily is better because Nitrofurantoin is bacteriostatic, which stops bacterial growth, while Ciprofloxacin is bactericidal, which kills bacteria. You can use Nitrofurantoin till you go back and check the urine tests. If the infection persists, consult a physician and take antibiotics according to the urine culture result. They asked to consult a gynecologist as they might have suspected vaginal infection, but usually, vaginal infection is accompanied by vaginal discharge, which smells bad.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
We will stick with the one they gave as it is a prescription. If she gets better, it is fine; if not, we will start Ciprofloxscin immediately, or should I wait for a urine culture test?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
You can start giving her the medications without waiting for urine culture test results. The test results will decide if there is a need to change the tablet or continue it. Thank you.
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