Urinary tract infections (UTIs) account for almost 10 million office visits and 1.6 million hospitalizations each year, according to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). Women are the primary patients. In fact, according to the NKF, as many as one in five women will experience a UTI at some point in their lives, and within that group, about one out of every five will eventually develop another one. Some women may even experience three or more urinary tract infections in a year.

However, a UTI is usually not a serious cause for concern. Most are easy to treat with antibiotics, and symptoms often resolve in just a few days with treatment. There are also a number of ways to prevent an infection from occurring in the first place.

If you have a UTI or simply wish to avoid getting one, there are many tips you can follow from day to day.

1. If you think you may have a urinary tract infection, see a doctor. If treatment begins early, a UTI can usually be cured in just a few days. However, if left untreated, the infection can spread to your kidneys, where it may cause life-threatening complications. These complications include kidney damage and the spread of infection into your bloodstream. In addition, when a UTI has progressed to this point, treatment is more difficult and may require hospitalization. You can usually avoid all of this simply by seeking medical attention at the first signs of an infection.
   
   
2.  If you are pregnant, have your urine tested for UTI regularly. Urinary tract infections are more likely to travel to your kidneys when you are pregnant because of hormonal changes and repositioning of the urinary tract. Pressure from the growing uterus can make it more difficult to empty your bladder. Kidney infection during pregnancy may lead to complications such as high blood pressure, kidney damage, premature delivery or a life-threatening blood infection.
   
   
3.  Discuss your antibiotics with your doctor. Antibiotics are generally safe, but they can produce reactions and serious medical complications in some women. If you have a history of antibiotic allergies, your doctor may perform tests to determine any risk for allergic reactions to the medication. These may include a skin test. If you are pregnant or elderly, you also have a higher risk of side effects. While you are taking antibiotics, ask your doctor before taking any other medications, nutritional supplements or herbal remedies, which may interfere with your antibiotics.
   
   
4.  Complete your full course of treatment. Don't stop taking your antibiotics before your doctor says it's okay, even if your symptoms subside. This helps to ensure that the infection is completely eradicated. If you stop taking antibiotics too soon, some bacteria may be left in your urinary tract. These bacteria can quickly multiply and cause another bout of the same infection. Further, if you stop taking your antibiotics before all the bacteria are killed, they can change into another form of bacteria that is more difficult to treat. This increased resistance to antibiotics is an emerging worldwide health concern. Several antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria already exist, and new ones are emerging frequently.
   
   
5. Urinate frequently. Be sure to urinate every three to four hours and as soon as the urge occurs. Emptying your bladder regularly gives bacteria less time to become established.
   
   
6.  Drink plenty of water. You should drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day. This helps you to urinate frequently and makes it more difficult for bacteria to become established in your bladder. It also helps to flush out any bacteria that may be present.
   
   
7. Drink cranberry juice and take vitamin C. Both increase the acidity of your urine, which helps prevent the growth of bacteria. In addition, cranberry juice makes your bladder wall slippery, so bacteria are not able to adhere to it. This makes them even easier to flush from your system when you urinate.
   
   
8.  Wash before intercourse and urinate afterward. Sexual intercourse may allow bacteria to enter your urethra. You and your partner should wash your genitals before sexual intercourse to reduce the number of bacteria in the area. You should also urinate shortly after intercourse to flush away any bacteria that may have entered your urethra.
   
   
9.  Use good hygiene. Always wipe from front to back after using the toilet, especially following a bowel movement. Wiping from the back to the front may allow bacteria from your colon to enter your urethra, leading to infection. And you should be sure to wash your genitals daily. This helps remove bacteria from the area.
   
   
10.  Avoid irritants. Don't use strong soaps or other products that contain chemicals that can irritate your urethra. Mild soaps are better for this delicate part of your body. The use of deodorant sprays and feminine products, such as powders and douches, can also irritate your urethra and lead to a UTI. Certain foods and beverages, such as caffeine and alcohol, can irritate your urinary tract as well.
    
    
11. Keep your genital area dry. Excess moisture can promote the growth of bacteria. Dry the area with gentle patting after you urinate. Wearing cotton underwear and clothes that fit loosely helps ensure that the area remains dry.
    
    
12. Don't soak. Don't sit in a bath or hot tub for extended periods of time. Soaking for a long time allows bacteria from elsewhere on your body, or the body of anyone else in the tub, to enter your urethra. Bacteria on the tub itself can cause infection too.
    
    
13. If you have constipation, treat it. Constipation places pressure on your urinary tract and increases your risk of a UTI. You can treat constipation by eating more fiber and taking laxatives. Bulking laxatives and stool softeners are among the safest types of laxatives available.