UTI's in the Elderly can be left untreated for the very simple reason that in the elderly they do not feel the normal symptoms that UTIs usually bring when it starts. A bad UTI can cause delirium, confusion, hallucinations
And if left untreated can cause sepsis which is deadly
I was surprised to see that no one here talked about the use of D-Manoose.
I have given that at the first sign of a UTI and have avoided the use of antibiotics many times in both myself and my aging parents
In layman's terms, It is basically the sugar that is in cranberries. The bacteria or what we think of as "bugs" line the inside of the bladder but will jump off and have a heyday from this simple sugar that they love. Because they they are now floating in the urine they are flushed out very easily
Home test kit? That sounds great gladimhere. Can you tell us how it worked for you? I've thought something like that would be terrific.
MIL has a UTI now, diagnosed at Dr. appt. last Thursday. She took ONE antibiotic that night and said it upset her tummy. Has refused them since.
Dr. suggested Cranberry juice, nope, she doesn't like it. Suggested Probiotics, nope, doesn't like yogurt and won't take another pill. We are stuck.
With a partial hip replacement (3 X's) at greater risk of problem septic infections - often requiring months of antibiotics IV which means nursing home care as medicare will not cover at home IV antibiotics.
I understand there are test strips you can buy that flag urine for possible infection...HAS ANYONE USED THESE?