Should I treat low-grade UTI (asymptomatic)

[Anonymous]

Urine test was negative in the office, positive through outside lab for low-grade UTI.
I do not currently have symptoms and am not in any discomfort. I was prescribed the antibiotic Macrobid 100mg twice daily x 7 days.
I hate taking antibiotics and am prone to the gastrointestinal side effects. Would you take the antibiotic for something so low-grade that it didn't show up on the office test and isn't currently causing symptoms? Anyone take this med and if so, how bad were the side effects?
Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Why did you get the test to begin with?

[Anonymous]

Macrobid worked for me without any side effects.

You could also drink 100% cranberry juice. It is strong and kind of expensive.

[Anonymous]

Also wondering why you got tested if you have no symptoms.

My daughter had no symptoms at all; I took her to the ER with a second night of 103 fever and flank pain. Having had no experience of UTI, it was no where on my radar screen. At the ER they determined she had a kidney infection and hospitalized her for two days. The Cipro they gave her there stopped working and after getting out she was back in the ER two days later where they switched her to Macrobid and another antibiotic.

So I'd not skip the antibiotic. Will be interested to hear from others who have had less dire outcomes.

[Anonymous]

There can be false positives with uti tests if you didn't get a clean catch. Why did you get tested?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Last weekend I felt mild bladder pressure for a few days. By the time I got to the doc it was gone. When in-office test came up negative and symptoms didn't reappear I put it behind me and was so surprised to get the call from the doc saying I had a low-grade infection. No pain, no more pressure, no symptoms. Which is why I wondered if cranberry juice and fluids could do the trick.
This also happened to me some months back for about a day and I never even went to the doc because it went away completely. Is it possible to just have a low-grade infection for a long time with pretty much no symptoms, without it getting progressively worse? I just don't want to take antibiotics unless necessary.

[Anonymous]

^^ meant to say mild bladder pressure was off and in for 2 days. Nothing since.

[Anonymous]

I'd skip the ABX.

You can try cranberry juice, but I read once it isn't a "cure" but a preventive for UTIs.

This article from WebMD explains how it works to prevent UTs, but says in one point that it isn't a cure. (2nd bullet point under "Cons".)

http://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/womens-guide/cranberries-for-uti-protection

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd skip the ABX.

You can try cranberry juice, but I read once it isn't a "cure" but a preventive for UTIs.

This article from WebMD explains how it works to prevent UTs, but says in one point that it isn't a cure. (2nd bullet point under "Cons".)

http://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/womens-guide/cranberries-for-uti-protection

And you would still skip? I'm so torn.

[Anonymous]

OP again - I almost wish I had some symptoms!

[Anonymous]

15:12 again.

Yes, I'd still skip the ABX. I think they are prescribed too much. If you don't tolerate them well, then why take them for something that didn't show up on the first test?

You could always call the doc and say you don't like taking ABX and are feeling better. Ask what would be the consequences of not taking it? Would symptoms return and get worse? (And then, hey, then I'd take the ABX!)

[Anonymous]

I just had a mild UTI. I knew the day after I got it from having sex with DH and not going to the bathroom after. I felt mild discomfort (feeling like I needed to pee) and I just bombed my system with fluids. It went away.

Like the OP, I don't take the use of antibiotics lightly, especially not heavy duty ones like Cipro. Those are like unloading a nuclear bomb in your gut. Ever watch someone suffer from c-diff? That is no joke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Last weekend I felt mild bladder pressure for a few days. By the time I got to the doc it was gone. When in-office test came up negative and symptoms didn't reappear I put it behind me and was so surprised to get the call from the doc saying I had a low-grade infection. No pain, no more pressure, no symptoms. Which is why I wondered if cranberry juice and fluids could do the trick.
This also happened to me some months back for about a day and I never even went to the doc because it went away completely. Is it possible to just have a low-grade infection for a long time with pretty much no symptoms, without it getting progressively worse? I just don't want to take antibiotics unless necessary.

I'd consider taking them given what you just said. Yes, you could have a low grade infection. But if you want, you could go to another doctor and do the test again. It is really important to get a clean sample. Make sure you have a strong urine stream and catch the sample mid stream - don't let any from the beginning or end get in the cup.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Last weekend I felt mild bladder pressure for a few days. By the time I got to the doc it was gone. When in-office test came up negative and symptoms didn't reappear I put it behind me and was so surprised to get the call from the doc saying I had a low-grade infection. No pain, no more pressure, no symptoms. Which is why I wondered if cranberry juice and fluids could do the trick.
This also happened to me some months back for about a day and I never even went to the doc because it went away completely. Is it possible to just have a low-grade infection for a long time with pretty much no symptoms, without it getting progressively worse? I just don't want to take antibiotics unless necessary.

I'd consider taking them given what you just said. Yes, you could have a low grade infection. But if you want, you could go to another doctor and do the test again. It is really important to get a clean sample. Make sure you have a strong urine stream and catch the sample mid stream - don't let any from the beginning or end get in the cup.

Thanks. I will go to PCP tomorrow for another test.
If results are the same I will definitely take the meds.

[Anonymous]

OP, I think this is a great advice and a great decision. (from 13:12)