$Unique_ID{BRK00134}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Is Medication for a Urinary Tract Infection Safe During Pregnancy?}
$Subject{bladder pregnancy treatment Infections Genitourinary medications
System Urinary Tract Infection Medication UTI pregnancies Pregnant bacteriuria
kidney pyelonephritis kidneys endotoxic}
$Volume{A-16,K-16}
$Log{
Types of Urinary Tract Infections*0007101.scf
Predisposing Factors for Urinary Tract Infections*0007102.scf
Pyelonephritis of the Kidney*0015201.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Is Medication for a Urinary Tract Infection Safe During Pregnancy?


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QUESTION:  My daughter recently went for a routine prenatal check-up.  She was
told she had a urinary tract infection and given medication to clear it up.
She had no signs of the infection.  Was it really necessary to take this
medicine while she's pregnant?  Is it safe?

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ANSWER:  Many pregnant women experience urinary tract infections (UTI's) with
no symptoms that they can tell.  Urinary tract infections are the most common
infections experienced by women and they are the most common complication of
pregnancy.  Pregnant women who are diagnosed as having a UTI should most
definitely follow the prescribed regimen.  Usually with asymptomatic
bacteriuria (the presence of germs in urine, but without symptoms), the course
of treatment lasts five to seven days.  If this type of UTI is left untreated,
it can progress into a more serious complication.  The more dangerous
situation, called pyelonephritis, usually requires hospitalization.  This
infection can result in premature labor and endotoxic shock.  It is,
therefore, very important to take UTIs very seriously and adhere to the
doctor's advice, especially during pregnancy.  Once the infection is cleared
up, careful monitoring should be continued throughout the rest of the
pregnancy, because UTIs often recur.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.