Often, a UTI can be cured with 1 or 2 days of treatment if the infection is not complicated by an obstruction or nervous system disorder. A followup urinalysis helps to confirm that the urinary tract is infection-free. It is important to take the full course of treatment because symptoms may disappear before the infection is fully cleared. Severely ill patients with kidney infections may be hospitalized until they can take fluids and needed drugs on their own. Kidney infections generally require several weeks of antibiotic treatment.
Most doctors suggest that drinking plenty of water helps cleanse the urinary tract of bacteria.
For the time being, it is best to avoid coffee, alcohol, and spicy foods. Recurrent Infections in Women Women who have frequent recurrences may benefit from preventive therapy. Many women have them even more often. NIH-supported research at the University of Washington has shown this therapy to be effective without causing serious side effects. Take a single dose of an antibiotic after sexual intercourse.