In fact, a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine reported that approximately 40% to 50% of Indian women experience a urinary tract infection (UTI) at least once in their lifetime, with women being up to 30 times more vulnerable than men due to anatomical and physiological factors.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections affecting women worldwide, especially in India, according to a report published by the National Institutes of Health .
But the urologist noted that this does not clear the infection. Lastly, he stated that anyone who has two or more infections within a period of six months or experiences UTIs three or more times in a year should also need to be properly evaluated, as there might be an underlying cause. “Getting a timely diagnosis is important, as the infection can travel from the bladder to the kidneys and cause serious illness. In some cases, it can also spread into the bloodstream. A simple urine test is quick and allows the correct treatment to start early. Finishing the full course of the prescribed treatment is just as important as starting the medication,” Dr Naveen recommended.
People tend to dismiss early symptoms such as dehydration as a random occurrence and wait for it to settle, with some self-medicating with leftover antibiotics at home or home remedies, which may temporarily mask the symptoms, according to Dr Naveen.
