Brief Answer:
10-14 days' treatment is ideal for UTI.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX,
Thanks for your query.
Firstly, I presume that you had taken both drugs together :
Norflox +
Amikacin. However, the duration of treatment for UTI scientifically is 10-14 days. The aim of treatment is to COMPLETELY eradicate E.coli bacteria. Even a single surviving bacteria propagates rapidly to cause re-infection.
Hence, please continue the treatment, without break, for at least 10 days. Further, BEFORE stopping treatment, get urine examination repeated- which, if normal- may be taken as an indication for stopping treatment.
Secondly, in the presence of kidney/bladder stones, or kidney/ bladder structural abnormalities which promote retention/stagnation of urine, a longer course (2 weeks or even more) of treatment is mandatory. If the post-treatment urine report is still abnormal, an
ultrasound of the
urinary system becomes mandatory.
Other cause of delayed response is presence of underlying and undiagnosed
diabetes or a concurrent
fungal infection. Hence, Blood sugar should also be done to rule out/confirm early/hidden diabetes. Presence of fungi in urine will confirm the diagnosis. In case, fungus is isolated, a 7-10 days' course of oral anti-fungal drug is indicated.
Lastly, and MOST IMPORTANT, persistence of chilly sensation alone, is NOT an indication of ongoing UTI. On the contrary, disappearance of clinical symptoms, such as fever, increased frequency of urination, burning sensation while passing urine, pain in flanks/lower abdomen, indicates NEAR-TOTAL/TOAL eradication of
urinary infection.
TOTAL eradication of infection can be confirmed ONLY by urine analysis and particularly urine culture.
If you live in an area which is endemic for
malaria and continue to have chills, please get yourself tested for underlying and undiagnosed malarial infection.
Consult your doctor and apprise him of my opinion. I am certain that he agrees with my opinion and clinical acumen; order required tests, and- based on the reports- will arrive at a certain diagnosis and prescribe suitable treatment as advised.
Hope I have addressed to your concerns to your complete satisfaction and you find my response helpful and informative. I will be happy to answer further queries, if any.
Fond regards and Take Care,
Dr. Rakesh Karanwal