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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Chronic Urinary Tract Infection - Recurring Urinary Tract Infection

Prevention & Expectations

What can be done to prevent the infection?

Prevention of recurring urinary tract infections can involve several steps:

A woman who develops UTIs after sexual intercourse may take antibiotics, such as sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, before signs of infection occur.

A person who has a urinary catheter in the bladder needs to have the device changed or cleaned often.

Good hygiene is important for everyone, but especially for those who are bedridden and incontinent.

A person should drink 8 glasses of water every day.

A person should urinate when the urge is felt, rather than holding urine in the bladder for long periods of time.

What are the long-term effects of the infection?

Recurring UTIs can damage the urinary system. A UTI can spread to the blood, causing sepsis. That can cause severe illness and even death.

What are the risks to others?

UTIs are usually not contagious. However, infections of the urethra are generally spread through sexual contact.

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