In NZ we have a daily pill, Hiprex. It turns the content of the bladder more acidic, this helps to kill various UTIs. Probably doesn't get them all, however I've been taking them daily for 3 years, with no infections. Having said that, I haven't any kind of catheter for the last year, those can increase occurrence of UTIs

I had several utis in my 20s. We did not call it flares back then. But old symptoms were certainly arising. Treat the cause and it resolves. I was evaluated by a Urologist who determined that I had a Neurogenic bladder with spasms and leakage and over active requiring frequent trips to bathroom but not fully emptying the bladder. And it became chronic. I was immediately treated with an oral antibiotic. Steroids were not used as the can cause organ damage over time. I was shown methods of controlling stream to emptying and given a pill to stop spasms now called PT for Pelvic floor. For 5 years it continued. There are some OTC meds now for this. (Oxybuterol i believe) But ultimately I was put on Prescription Detrol and taught to self Catherize. At 40 when I started my first DMT when they were first available...they told me it would not help symptoms. In 3rd month the spasms stopped and so did UTIs. I no longer needed the catheter. I stayed a on Detrol. I have since switched to Myrbetric (sp?). At 63 I do not need a catheter but went back for pelvic floor exercises which helped alot. I am 73.
Treat the cause. Get evaluated.

Hello everyone. Long time no see!

And some bacteria is resistant. So if your symptoms don't improve after a course of antibiotics, it may need to be treated with a different antibiotic. Actually if you don't start feeling better after a few days, this could be the case.

A UTI can worsen and go into the bladder and then the kidneys if not treated with the right antibiotics. I've had that happen . That's why now a days I know to tell the doctor to please run a CULTURE . Without a culture there's really only guesswork as to what bug the antibiotics are fighting. Cultures can be an expense. But worth it!