Treatments for uti infections – Cephalexin

Cephalexin is a cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia and bone, ear, and skin. It belongs to first-generation cephalosporin used especially in the treatment of respiratory and urinary tract infections. It interferes with bacterial cell-wall synthesis, causing cell to rupture and die. It is active against many gram-positive bacteria and shows limited activity against gram-negative bacteria.

Urinary tract infection or UTI is a bacterial infection of one or more structures in the urinary system. Although urine contains a variety of fluids, salts, and waste products, it does not usually have bacteria in it. When bacteria get into the bladder or kidney and multiply in the urine, they may cause a UTI. UTI may be asymptomatic but is usually characterized by urinary frequency, burning pain with voiding, and, if the infection is severe, visible blood and pus in the urine. Fever and back pain often accompany kidney infections. The most common type of UTI is acute cystitis often referred to as a bladder infection. An infection of the upper urinary tract or kidney is known aspyelonephritis, and is potentially more serious. Although they cause discomfort, urinary tract infections can usually be easily treated with a short course of antibiotics with all no significant difference between the classes of antibiotics commonly used.

A predisposition for bladder infections may run in families. The condition is more common in women than in men because, in females, the urethra is much closer to the anus than in males, and women lack the bacteriostatic properties of prostatic secretions. The incidence of urinary tract infections in men tends to rise after the age of 50. The symptoms of urinary tract infections may vary with age and the part of the urinary system that was affected. In young children, urinary tract infection symptoms may include diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, fever, and excessive crying that cannot be resolved by typical measures. Older children on the other hand may experience abdominal pain, or incontinence. Lower urinary tract infections in adults may manifest with symptoms including hematuria (blood in the urine), inability to urinate despite the urge, and malaise. Whereas in newborns the condition may cause jaundice and hypothermia, in the elderly, symptoms of urinary tract infections may include lethargy and a change in the mental status, signs that are otherwise nonspecific. Other risk factors include diabetes, sickle-cell disease, or anatomical malformations of the urinary tract such as prostate enlargement. The most common organism implicated in UTIs (80 – 85%) is E. Coli, while Staphylococcus saprophyticus is the cause in 5 – 10%.

About 50% of people will recover without treatment within a few days or weeks. Oral antibiotics such as trimethoprim, cephalosporins, nitrofurantoin, or a fluoroquinolone substantially shorten the time to recovery. All are equally effective for both short and long term cure rates. Urinary tract infections are more concerning in pregnancy. If urine testing shows signs of infection even in the absence of symptoms (known as asymptomatic bacteriuria) women are treated. Treatment is typically with cephalexin or nitrofurantoin.




Bhupinder Kaur Khera is an online writer. She has researched and studied on how to achieve a healthier, balanced lifestyle and have access to the essential medicines they need. For free expert advice on safe, effective and assured quality medicines or to know more on Treatments for uti infections visit http://www.rx2gostore.com/Cephalexin.php