Once the sample is collected, treatment can be started. Potassium citrate is used to render the urine alkaline. This can be given as Citralka, or as one of the newer tablets or powders that dissolve in water to form a pleasant fizzy drink. Like the old-fashioned barley water, these relieve the symptoms but do not cure the complaint.
Antibiotics are always necessary. The doctor will usually choose that which he thinks is the most suitable and await the results of the culture to see if he is right.
Antibiotics should always be taken for a full course of from five to seven days to deal with the bacteria completely. Patients should not stop the treatment just because they feel better. This applies to any infection when antibiotics are prescribed.
If the culture and sensitivity tests show that the bacteria causing the infection are insensitive to the antibiotic the doctor has chosen, it can be changed to a more appropriate one.
During pregnancy, the doctor must choose the antibiotic with care. Some antibiotics can affect the foetus and should be avoided.
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