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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffReduce your risk of kidney infection by taking steps to prevent urinary tract infections. Women, in particular, may reduce their risk of urinary tract infections if they:
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Drinking plenty of liquids can help remove bacteria from your body when you urinate.
- Urinate frequently. Avoid holding back when you feel the urge to urinate.
- Empty the bladder after intercourse. Urinating as soon as possible after intercourse helps to clear bacteria from the urethra, reducing your risk of infection.
- Wipe carefully. For women, wiping from front to back after urinating and after a bowel movement helps to prevent bacteria in the anal region from spreading to the urethra.
- Wash gently. Wash the skin around your vagina and anus carefully every day. But don't use harsh soaps or wash vigorously. The delicate skin around these areas can become irritated.
- Avoid using feminine products in the genital area. Using feminine products, such as deodorant sprays or douches, in your genital area can irritate your urethra.
References
- Pyelonephritis (kidney infection) in adults. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/pyelonephritis/. Accessed June 29, 2009.
- Urinary tract infections in adults. UrologyHealth.org. http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=07&topic=147. Accessed June 29, 2009.
- Schaeffer AJ, et al. Infections of the urinary tract. In: Wein AJ, et al. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/146625683-4/0/1445/0.html. Accessed June 29, 2009.
- Masson P, et al. Meta-analyses in prevention and treatment urinary tract infections. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America. 2009;23:355.
- Norris DL, et al. Urinary tract infections: Diagnosis and management in the emergency department. Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America. 2008;26:413.
- Neal DE. Complicated urinary tract infections. Urologic Clinics of North America. 2008;35:13.
- Urinary tract infections. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp050.cfm. Accessed June 30, 2009.
- Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. Urinary tract infection and kidney infection. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2004.
