6 ways to manage a UTI while traveling

With the holidays approaching, the last thing you want to deal with while traveling is a urinary tract infection (UTI). And yet, research shows the risk of getting a UTI increases while traveling, especially for women. Don’t let a UTI cut your trip short. Use these tips from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to decrease your chances of getting a UTI or alleviate your symptoms if one does occur. 

1. Learn to recognize the warning signs

A UTI can develop when bacteria infect your urinary tract. There are different types of UTIs, including bladder and kidney infections, but the symptoms are much the same. Bladder infections (cystitis) are the most common type of UTI, while kidney infections (pyelonephritis) occur less often but can have more severe health consequences.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, signs of a UTI include:

• Bloody urine
• Burning or pain while urinating
• Constant urge to urinate
• Cramping in the lower abdomen
• Excessive urination
• Fever and chills
• Nausea or vomiting
• Pain in your lower back

Familiarizing yourself with these symptoms will go a long way toward catching UTIs before they become severe and will help you implement remedies that can keep you more comfortable.

Of course, you may want to consult a doctor. And it’s not always convenient, or even possible, to find a doctor you can rely on when you’re far from home. If you need healthcare while traveling, HCA Florida Healthcare’s Consult-A-Nurse® at (844) 706-8773 is your direct line of communication with medical professionals you can trust. Regardless of where you are, day or night, there’s always someone you can turn to for guidance.

2. Take action right away

Don’t try to wait “just a little longer” when you need to urinate. The Grand Canyon isn’t going anywhere, and the longer you let urine stay in your bladder, the more time bacteria have to grow. In fact, it’s a good idea to make sure you go every three or four hours at a minimum.

3. Stay hydrated

Drink plenty of fluids throughout your day, aiming for six to eight glasses and increasing your intake if you’re doing physical activity or sweating profusely. Of course, water is always a good choice. Others recommend cranberry juice, but studies on whether drinking cranberry juice affects UTIs show mixed results. 

4. Practice good hygiene

Women should always wipe from front to back. One of the reasons women tend to get more UTIs than men is the difference in their anatomy, which makes it easier for infection-causing germs such as E.coli to enter the body and migrate to the bladder. 

It’s also best to avoid using douches, feminine hygiene powders or sprays and bath oils, especially if they contain perfume. And if you do choose to bathe instead of shower, limit your soak time to 30 minutes. 

5. Dress comfortably

Avoid tight-fitting pants, which can trap moisture and create an inviting atmosphere for bacteria to flourish. Choose underwear with a cotton lining and change out of wet bathing suits or workout clothes soon after you finish the activity.

6. Urinate before and after sex

Urinating before and immediately after sex can help flush out harmful bacteria. Also, if you use cream that kills sperm (spermicide), or your partner uses condoms with spermicide, talk to your healthcare provider about whether alternative birth control options would help prevent infections in the future.

Is it time to seek medical attention?

Even if you follow our every recommendation, you can still get a UTI from time to time. According to the National Institutes of Health, you should seek medical attention if you continue to experience back or side pain, chills, fever or nausea and vomiting for several days since these are signs that a more serious infection may be developing. 

Call our 24/7 Consult-A-Nurse® line at (844) 706-8773 to speak with an experienced, licensed nurse. They will help answer any questions you may have and provide guidance for the next steps in seeking care.