Is it possible to have a UTI for months and have no symptoms?
Posted , 12 users are following.
I am just wondering whether it’s possible to have a UTI with no symptoms and what to do about it. I used to get UTIs very frequently. At least twice a month, I would get antibiotics off the doctor which would clear it up and then a week or two later it would come back. Eventually I stopped going to the doctor and whenever I got another one id just drink loads of water and take painkillers as needed and it would clear up on its own within a few days. I had an ultrasound of my bladder and kidneys about 5 years ago which was normal at that time. The past few years it seemed to have settled and I hardly ever felt like I had a UTI. But for about 6 months or so now I feel like I might have had one, but just not had the symptoms. The only thing that has brought it to my attention is the smell of my urine (TMI sorry). It has a really strong smell and often smells like fish. I work in a hospital so I do a urine dipstick test regularly and for the last 6 months or so every single time I’ve tested my urine it’s positive for nitrites and leukocytes. Some (but not all) of the time it has +1 protein too. I basically feel like I’ve had a constant UTI for about 6 months, but just haven’t had the pain or any of the other symptoms (except the smell) if that’s possible? I’m just wondering what I should do about it. Since it’s not really bothering me I haven’t been to the doctors as I didn’t really see the point. But I’m wondering if it could be causing damage that I don’t know about if there has been an infection there all that time. Is it ok to just ignore it if it’s not causing me any problems? Or should I do something about it?
0 likes, 9 replies
sam6990 lauren220591
Posted
HI LAUREN,
MY ADVICE IS TO GO TO YOUR G P AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THESE ECOLI PATHOGENS CAN BECOME EMBEDDED LIKE IN MY CASE AND I HAVE TO STAY ON ANTIBIOTICS NOW FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE SADLY, which could be weeks or months IF YOU NEED TO KNOW THE BEST CONSULTANT TO SEE YOU CAN PRIVATE MESSAGE ME AND I WILL GIVE YOU HIS DETAILS BUT DEFINITELY DONT NEGLECT THINGS!!
TAKE CARE,
BEST WISHES
SAM
hppytohelp lauren220591
Posted
Lauren,
No matter if it is just a UTI or any minor health issue, it is never ever a good idea to ignore it. Today it might seem insignificant but if you ignore it, it might lead to complications. In the case of a UTI, the infection can spread to your bladder and kidneys. Please consult a doctor or a GP ASAP and get the recommended tests done.
Have you ever heard of Cranberry Juice and D-Mannose?
good11 hppytohelp
Posted
I used D-Mannose. It was actually a key ingredient in a pill I was taking for a UTI I was having. Worked for me
carolyn42024 lauren220591
Posted
Hi I'm Lyn(Carolyn) I'm in the same boat it's been going on for about 9 months and the only symptom I have is also very smelly wee I also worked as an aux nurse so have regularly dipped my own ...Is there any help out there ??
Gracejean lauren220591
Posted
it sounds like you're colonized with bacteria and your bladder isn't having inflammatory response. I have this asymptomatic bacteriuria. First I had years of UTIs from stones. once they were removed I remained with bacteria in urine always-cloudy, odor, positive nitrites and leuks. I was treated but never really cleared.
While bacteria were in bladder so often some bacteria attached to bladder. I had frequent UTI enough gather to form colonies. Biofilm protects colonies from antibiotics.
Gracejean
Posted
Actually I'm trying to explain what Sam wrote about. I think some people refer to it as embedded. Bacteria can remain amongst and in bladder wall. I have this condition. Medication kills my free-floating bacteria in the urine but can't kill these embedded/colonized bacteria. I would find a specialist and aggressively treat so this doesn't happen. Mine is now resistant (ESBL).
lzhan03 lauren220591
Posted
Dear Lauren,
I am very sympathetic to your condition. I had the same problem for many years and went to see many doctors in really good hospitals without cure. Eventually I did a lot of research and trials by myself and I overcame it. Now I am clear from UTI.
I want to confirm with you that it is possible to have no symptom with UTI presence particularly when you get to a certain age, like around 50s or older. UTI without symptom is very dangerous. You may find a holistic doctor to help you. You may contact me privately or look at my reply to other people in this forum.
Good luck!
Lilly
christie32531 lauren220591
Posted
Hi Lauren, sorry to hear your having this
I am having uti with no burning or smell but have discomfort in the area and a bit of pressure and ache in the bladder.
Had this also last month and antibiotics made it feel better but now it's back again.
Also culture came back negative the last time but was given antibiotics as I had chills .
Mel_P lauren220591
Posted
I agree get doctors advice too. However...
I suffered years of UTI's after my second child was born. And often I would go to the Dr, or walk in Clinic and they would do the Pee in a Cup test and tell me they did not think it was a UTI but would send my sample to the lab. Many times the lab results came back negative. No culture, no infection, yet I had the ever so familliar UTI bladder pain.
This went on for years!! I changed doctors and after about 2 bouts of UTI's with my new doctor she decided to try a product called Myrbetriq. Ended up I have an over sensitive bladder and with that comes this crazy pain, and urgency to pee when there is no need to pee. This has been an absolute godsend. And for me... zero side affects and so far zero UTI's. I have been on the Myrbetriq now for 3 years and even if I feel a twinge of that oh so familliar UTI pain I know it will pass in a few hours and I know I am just having a bit of a bad day.