Expert: Charles Cusumano, PA-C, DFAAPA - 7/23/2007

Question
It's July now and I've had a uti that won't go away since May.  I take the antibiotics for the entire duration and got recultured at end of three different abx regimens (macrobid 7 days...keflex 7 days...macrobid 10 days) positive for e coli.  My obgyn wants me to take macrobid post intercourse on a regular basis, but to do that preventive regimen, shouldn't we first clear up the original infection?  Are there any stronger abx I could take while breastfeeding?  During the abx course, my symptoms go away & urine is very clear, but 2 days later the problem returns.

Answer
Hi Avery,
There may be another cause for the protracted UTI. Are you currently having intercourse? This can cause continued infection. There are only so many types of antibiotics that can be taken while breast feeding, so a stronger one may not be the best thing. You may need a urologic evaluation to determine the cause for this UTI that won't go away.