MEDizzy - You are evaluating a 25-year-old woman who reports frequent

Feed Library Learning Discuss Leaderboard Journal

Acute Complaints

You are evaluating a 25-year-old woman who reports frequent UTIs since getting married last year. In the last 12 months, she has had five documented infections that have responded well to antibiotic therapy. She has tried voiding after intercourse, she discontinued her use of a diaphragm, and tried acidification of her urine using oral ascorbic acid, but none of those measures decreased the incidence of infections. At this point, which of the following would be an acceptable prophylactic measure?

ExplanationIn many women with postcoital UTIs, symptoms develop within 24 hours of sexual intercourse. If measures like voiding after intercourse, acidification of the urine, and discontinuing diaphragm do not work, prophylaxis is indicated for women with frequent infections. Single-dose postcoital antibiotic use is often helpful. If that does not decrease infections, daily single-dose antibiotic prophylaxis may be appropriate for 3 to 6 months. If symptoms reoccur after discontinuation of daily prophylaxis, it may need to continue for up to 2 years.