It seems that the medical community has gone vaccine crazy! First Gardasil. Then the Shingles vaccine. Then the H1N1 vaccine. What’s next? A vaccine for pimples?
I sound paranoid, I know. But I’ve got my guard up, especially after reading that researchers at the University of Michigan have been busy developing a vaccine to prevent urinary tract infections!
To be clear, I’m entirely against using a vaccine to prevent something the body can (and should!) fight off on its own. Case in point: urinary tract infections. Your body should ward off these nagging infections on its own. (Sometimes, you may need a little extra help to get rid of chronic infections. Keep reading and I’ll give you some tips for conquering UTIs without antibiotics or a vaccine!)
But proponents of the UTI vaccine say: think of all the benefits, especially for women prone to recurrent infections. No more antibiotics, no more agonizing pain, no more doctor visits. Plus, look at all the money it could save! According to one report, UTIs cost Americans $2.4 billion in doctor’s visits, hospitalizations, and lost work time.
Forget cranberry juice! Just vaccinate young girls and boys and they’ll never have to worry about another urinary tract infection again. I have my doubts whether this vaccine will really prevent UTIs as well as real concerns about what these new — and in my book unnecessary — vaccines will do to the delicate immune system.
Still, let’s take a look at how the vaccine is supposed to work…
The building blocks of infection
Most UTIs are caused by E. coli bacteria in the urinary tract. The E. coli bacteria start causing trouble when they track down tiny receptors in the body called bacterial proteins. The bacteria attach themselves to these proteins, like two Legos snapping together.
The bacterial proteins help the E. coli to find iron circulating in the body. The E. coli feed on the iron, using it to grow. Eventually, the E. coli multiply out of control and cause an infection.
Outsmarting the bacteria?
The University of Michigan researchers figured if they could find the proteins that E. coli attach to, they could stop the bacteria from multiplying.
They analyzed 5,000 different protein molecules taken from a patient infected with E. coli. After this exhaustive search, UM researchers hit the jackpot. They found three proteins that E. coli use to set off their chain reaction and cause infection in the body.
Researchers sprayed these proteins into the noses of test mice. Then they exposed the mice to a strain of E. coli. And what do you know…the mice didn’t get UTIs!
Evidently, by exposing the mice to these bacterial proteins, their immune systems became “primed” and ready to fight E. coli the next time around. Hurray for the mice…but what will this kind of vaccine do to a 60-year-old woman prone to UTIs? Say she’s already gotten the shingles vaccine, gets the flu vaccine every fall, and this year will get the H1N1 vaccine. Plus, she’s already had a bout of breast cancer. Think her immune system has gone a bit off track? Instead of knowing how to fight real invaders (metastic cancer cells), her immune system wants to sit back and relax and wait for the vaccine to jump start things.
More on the way…
The UM team is currently testing the vaccine against more strains of E. coli. The team hopes to move forward in the near future and test the vaccine in human trials. If all goes as planned, the vaccine could reach the market in a few years!
I’m sure that would be a windfall for the drug company that purchases the rights to this vaccine. I can see the ad campaign now, targeting women prone to UTIs. But here’s the thing…UTIs are entirely preventable. And, say you do get stuck with a UTI from time to time, you don’t need a vaccine to get rid of it!
Here’s what you should be doing if you’re prone to urinary tract infections:
1. Avoid any UTI vaccine!
2. Drink more water.
3. Take cranberry extract daily to help prevent recurring UTIs. In one study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, cranberry extract works nearly as well as antibiotics in preventing urinary tract infections. The antioxidants in cranberries prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of your urinary tract.
4. Take probiotics daily. These “good” bacteria help keep harmful bacteria like E. coli in check. Take your capsules before meals and at bedtime. Look for a capsule with billions of units of these healthy bacteria.
5. As a general rule, you’ll want to limit sugar and refined sugar products. This will help clear the infection and make you less prone to a recurrence.
That’s all well and good for preventing infections. But what about if you’ve already got a UTI?
Well…
Before panicking and calling your doc for antibiotics, consider giving D-mannose a try. It’s the natural ingredient in cranberries responsible for fighting off infections. It will take care of just about any bladder infection caused by E. coli.
Every two to three hours, you’ll need to take 1/2 to 1 teaspoonful of D-mannose dissolved in water. Try this route for a day or two and see if you don’t get some relief. Though, not all urinary tract infections respond to D-mannose. So if your symptoms don’t improve within 48 hours, see your doctor.
In closing, if you’re watching the nightly news and you hear about the latest and greatest vaccine that will protect you against UTIs (or pimples!), just turn it off! You know better. And your body knows better too.
Dr. Allan Spreen
Nationally acclaimed as America’s “Nutrition Physician,” Dr. Spreen has been helping people stay healthy and disease-free as a private doctor, published author, and noted researcher.
In addition to his role as a Senior Member of the prestigious Health Sciences Institute Advisory Panel in Baltimore, MD, Dr. Spreen also coaches diving at the international and Olympic levels. NorthStar Nutritionals is proud to have Dr. Spreen as their Chief Research Advisor.
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Anonymous says
March 1, 2010 at 3:09 amDr. Spreen, I appreciate the time you took to write this article and spread knowledge about the nature of UTI’s.
However, I highly disagree with your statement that this vaccine is excessive or silly. I don’t mean to sound condecending, but I don’t think you have experienced recurrent UTI’s yourself to understand how much it takes away from a normal quality of life. Even if we make the assumption that our bodies can fight this off (although for most people with recurrent UTI’s, it leads to kidney infections which require urgent medical care), it is not like having a cold. It is extremely debilitating.
Imagine having to put yourself and your partner through a cleaning ritual every time you are intimate, and yet still, worrying if you’re going to get the first signs of burning the next day. Imagine going through courses of antibiotics that don’t help, but cause secondary infections. Imagine not being a functioning human being for 3 days a month, and for some, even more than that.
This vaccine is worth every penny that is going into research to form it. It is not targeted for people who happen to get a UTI once every 5 years, it’s targeted at those whose bodies cannot defend themselves adaquately against a fairly devastating disease.
Anonymous says
October 26, 2009 at 1:23 amMy mother is in a nursing home who recently transferred her to rehab facility with a “Super Strain” of UTI. She’s a stroke victim so she can’t drink water but rather has to have “thickened” water. She also has incotentence and wears depends…. harboring germs. It is now affecting her mentally which is not good. I think I would be in favor of a vaccine at this point!
Anonymous says
November 5, 2009 at 12:43 pmFreedom of speech has given someone a right to completely show an ignorant disrespect for research that actually help millions. I only say this because, I am not the typical demographics that this uninformed, ignorant and plain rude writer is writing about. I am someone with chronic kidney infections, ostomies, born without a bladder and have been fighting to save my kidneys from birth. So if you think a little cranberry and drinking water is going to help people like me, then unfortunately you should start thinking of another field to voice your very close-minded and repugnant thoughts. Research is often a result of a demand. Obviously if cranberry and water were to help, then we wouldn’t be in this predicament. Please just think before you speak and write. Many people need help and it isn’t because of poor hygiene or habits.
Anonymous says
January 28, 2010 at 3:38 pmFighting a dreaded UTI right now – upper UTI, involving kidneys. I use D-mannose, and sometimes I still get a bad one. I am ALL for this vaccine.
THERESA says
November 3, 2009 at 3:54 ammy daughter is 10 and we have been fighting UTI’S for 9 years now . She hates taking the meds and they do not know why she keep’s getting them . we have done everything to help her not get one . They hurt and are not fun to deal with when you have blood in it , Also she get’s very sick from them so this sound like something i would look into for her.I too would be in favor of a vaccine to help her. I would love to fine someone who could fine what is wrong with her .
Anonymous says
December 1, 2009 at 11:50 amI too have suffered from chronic UTIs over the past 5 years. I’ve had 7 in the last 10 months. Been checked out and there is nothing to help me apart from antibiotics again and again. And I’ve already tried d mannose and cranberry. Can’t wait for a vaccine, bring it on i will be first in line. The writer of this article obviously has no idea how painful this condition is, and I would give anything to be able to go somewhere without a stash of antibiotics in my bag just in case.
Deborah says
November 9, 2009 at 2:45 amMy father had his bladder removed, due to bladder cancer. Prior to that he’d suffered numerous UTI’s over his 70 + years. After he had an ileotomy, bag attached for his bladder, the hospital’s team of urinary specialists in Australia recommended cranberry juice as a first line of defense, or cranberry tablets to prevent or attack the infection when he felt an ache in his kidneys. It worked every time and since being made aware of that knowledge, I too would have a drink of cranberry juice if I felt that my bladder was starting to play up, as I have had numerous UTI’s and had antibiotics to treat them, only to keep repeating them time and time again as my UTI would recurr!
Thankyou for your information on D-Mannose. I will certainly be looking for it as I also believe when it is sprayed up one’s nostrils, it stops the fungi from growing and causing hay fever and sinusitis.
I would not like to trust a vaccine, not knowing of all the ingredients that could be included. Food and diet will keep you in good or bad health, depending on your choices.
Francois says
December 15, 2009 at 2:53 pmI respect Dr. Spreen for his honest approach to medicine and healing. More so, I have tried many of his ‘natural treatments’ and they have time and time again healed me. I am completely apposed to pharmaceuticals and vaccines and have not taken any for the past 5 years. I have a constant battle with hereditary high cholesterol and statins have actually nearly killed me and caused me to have chronic UTIs for two years. It also caused an enlarged prostate… – the worst is that I was treated for an STD every time I went to the doctor. A slap in the face for someone that has never been promiscuous or unsafe in his life! Cranberry juice works! Avoiding refined sugar works! D-mannose works! With that, I can also say Wormwood works to fight any sign of a Candida and yeast infection and keeping your alcohol intake low also helps keeping UTIs at bay. Thank you for an excellent and honest article. If some construe this to be arrogant and disrespectful, it’s probably because they simply need someone to listen to their sad story…
Anonymous says
January 29, 2010 at 6:53 pmI used to have UTI’s frequently. I rarely get one now. The ND i went to told me, “if you come in here one more time with a UTI, I’m going to do food allergy testing on you.” I knew I couldn’t afford that, being a widow, and not much money.
But, it gave me a clue as to what the problem might be, so I started to do research on the subject of food allergies. I found out that it was the wheat and dairy that was causing most of my problems. I found Dr. Peter D ‘Adamo’s books and tried what he outlined for my blood-type and I’ve only had two UTI in the past 10 years. I didn’t even take antibiotics for it….just cranberry capsules and Oil of Oregano. I used to eat a lot of popcorn, almost everyday, I really miss it, but all I have to do is think of the pain I used to have with the UTI”s.
I hope this helps someone.
Anonymous says
January 9, 2010 at 12:58 amDo you wipe from front to back? Don’t get upset, as a nurse I asked this question first each time someone had a bladder infection. Guess what, more that 50 % I would say answered no,the wipe from back to front….my own daughter had bladder infections one after another until she told me about them and I asked this question…she hasn’t had one since and that was 20 years ago. If that’s not the answer, I wish you luck.
Katie says
October 21, 2009 at 4:31 pmFor those of us that are chronic UTI sufferers, follow all of the advice you’ve listed above with no success and are tired of always being on antibiotics, the vaccine sounds VERY appealing!
Rich says
November 18, 2009 at 7:22 amThis MD must not be aware of us that have spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis etc etc. If he did he would realiae that we are constantly in danger of kidney failure due to the chronic uti;s that we are subjected to. I’ve tried everything and I still have chronic uti’s. I say bring it on!
Anonymous says
November 13, 2009 at 12:56 amIt’s obvious that the writer of this article has never had a UTI–much less chronic infections. If it were so easy to prevent them than there would be no need for the HUGE amount of money he quoted in his article to be spent on treating them. I’m a healthy 32-year-old who started getting UTIs in my mid-twenties. I drank gallons of water, pure, unsweetened cranberry juice, peed before and after sex, showered before and after and used d-mannose as a preventative. NONE of it kept me from getting recurrent UTIs (who knows, maybe it mitigated it). At this point I would definitely take a vaccine. It would have a less negative impact on my immune system than all the antibiotics. The author is just plain wrong and is giving dangerous advice. Don’t listen to him.
Anonymous says
November 9, 2009 at 4:32 pmI have used D-mannose and pure cranberry juice mixed with filtered water to help with my UTI’s and have been successful with it. But I also have a fairly healthy system otherwise. I believe this advice is for people who do not have other underlying health issues, and I feel for the people who have posted that appear to have serious medical issues. I hope that you can find something to help, whether it is a vaccine or something else. The best to all of you in your search for better health.
Anonymous says
November 20, 2009 at 6:36 pmI am someone who has suffered from UTI’s for the past 5 years (or so). It is obvious that the author if this article has never suffered from frequent UTI’s otherwise he would have a better understanding of how extremely painful they can be. I am one who is not a proponent of getting a vaccine for EVERYTHING but if this vaccine was a available I would be the first in line.
jam427 says
January 30, 2010 at 6:57 pmTo each its own, but hoping for a miracle vaccine is not possible , why do you think some of the old illnesses are coming back stronger, the old vaccine is useless, and people are trusting big- pharma, good luck, I know how bad this infection is, I have seen the expression on my wife’s face who have suffered this affliction, with all due respect for others beliefs, natural is better in the long run, our bodies are a natural healer by itself, all we need to do is to cooperate and avoid most of the junk available now days, and good hygiene is also recommended.
Anonymous says
February 19, 2010 at 12:59 amI’m a 45 yr old female. I have had UTI’s for the past 23yrs. it all started after I became pregnant with my first child. I have to say they have gotten a little better, only because I am now self medicating. I take one Macrobid everyday. I also take a tablet called Urelle. It’s a blue pill that helps with my bladder spasms that I usually get along with the UTI’s. I have have been to 11 doctors and have had the same thing told to me, “They will eventually go away and it will all be forgotten.” Are you kidding me!!! I swear I just want to smack doctors sometimes, they just don’t have a clue!! So far the meds help. If I forget to take it for a while, sometimes I’m hit with one. Wine and Beer I have noticed some time cause one too. I’m thinking of taking the advice from the one preson that mentioned food allergy testing.I wonder what they might find. I’m also starting to think it woukd be nice to start a UTI support group. I know that sounds weird, but sometime these infections get really frustrating and it would be nice to have some support by people that have been through this. I really wish if there is going to be a vaccine, that it is finally the answer to all of prayers.
Anonymous says
February 19, 2010 at 2:41 pmWhen some of these Drs. tells a customer formerly (patient) in reference of UTI eventually it will go away, actually this Dr. is waiting for Big-Pharma for the next step to take, they are lost without their advise, not like some real Drs that are concerned about our health. Hydration is important it does not mean drinking gallons of water, this also could become a problem, our water system is contaminated, so purify it as best as you can, bacteria enjoys bad sugar, so eliminate this and get some good sugar, a bit more expensive but it may be a good start, we have to load ourselves with the good bacteria specially if we were put on antibiotics because these do not discriminate they kill both. JAM
Anonymous says
February 18, 2010 at 2:57 pmI am sure the VACCINE is going to help you, at the same time there are consequences, just as antibiotics will not discriminate good or bad bacteria, at least if you use the good sugar bought at a reputable place might make a difference, remember there are junkie supplements also, I know women have to be extra careful because of the position of their genital. JAM
Anonymous says
February 18, 2010 at 10:49 amIve been suffering from UTIs since i first got it 1 year ago. Ever since its gotten worst — 1 UTI almost every month. Its frustrating and I always say “its the worst thing about being a woman”. Im so sensitive to it that Im scared to have sex even when Im doing everything right. I take up to 6 cranberry pills now everyday and drink lots of water, and somehow i still get it. Im ALL FOR the vaccine.
Brooke says
March 8, 2010 at 2:42 pmMy daughter is 7 and she has been dealing with UTI’s for about 3 years now. My daughter Autumn has been hospitalized 2 times with a UTI that has caused her Kidney infections. She has had to deal with 104 fevers,vomiting,chills,sleeping all the time and not being able to eat or drink. The 2 times she has been in the hospital she has had to deal with bladder test,ultasound tests on her urinary tract and many more dye tests to see if there is reflux in to her kidneys. She is in 2nd grade and she has had times where she couldn’t control her urine and has been embarrassed at school from wetting herself. She was on a pill of macrodation everyday to prevent her from getting a UTI and to our surprise she had another UTI while she was on the pills. Now we are heading back to the hospital for more tests and they tell me to up her dose to 2 pills of macrodatin every day. We have tried everything to prevent her from getting UTI’s but nothing seems to help. I think I would try about anything to help her she should not have to go through this all the time. Any insight let me know.
Anonymous says
January 4, 2010 at 7:21 pmI am so very sick of recurrent bladder infections. I’ve had surgery to try to help it(in which I ended up in the hospital because of hemorraging) and I still have recurrent uti’s. took 900 mg cranberry twice a day -no help, vitamin c 1000 mg a day-no help, antibiotic after antibiotic-still getting them. i’m glad these things work for people. but screw this person-if there is a vaccine-I”M GETTING IT!!!
Anonymous says
March 9, 2010 at 4:00 amI used to get uti’s all the time. After awhile I couldn’t take any antibiotics because my digestive system was depleted of beneficial bacteria. I went through a holistic doctor who recommended “albaplex” a natural product that helps your body fight off the infection without the use of antibiotics. It takes about 10 days and you have to take about 10 pills a day, depending on the severity of the infection, but it works really well and has no side effects because it is a natural product.
BarbaraW says
March 13, 2010 at 3:13 pmI have been afflected with recurrent, antibiotic resistent UTI’s for about ten years. I have tried D-Mannise which helps sometimes, probiotics & vegetable based regimens. I drink so much water I sometimes feel I am swimming in it and lots of cranberry juice. The UTI’s continue. Every two to four weeks, I get another infection. I can’t begin to tell you how frustrating and depressing this has become. For a year and a half, I had to deal with IV antibiotics to just ward off the infections. If a vaccine comes on the market, I will be first in line. Maybe they are not for everyone, but for people like me who are just weary of the physical, emotional, and mental pain assoicated with these constant infections, they could be a Godsend.
Anonymous says
April 8, 2010 at 2:20 pmAgreed with so many of the commenters here. It is so frustrating for those of us with recurrent UTIs to hear the same useless “advice” over and over again from well-meaning but clueless people. Take cranberry. Take D-mannose. Drink lots of water. Avoid sugar. Eat non-processed foods. We do all that religiously and get not an once of prevention or relief. If there is ever a vaccine for this extremely painful and frightening condition, I will be at my dr’s door on the very first day it is available. My immune system will thank me for it, too.
Anonymous says
April 8, 2010 at 11:11 pmWhat makes people think that a vaccine will cure UTI infections, it is obvious that there is something missing in this puzzle, outside antibiotics and intravenous medication, yes that will help a bit but again recurring after if you are doing the same thing over and over again, hygiene is very important, also the intake of so much bad sugar, read your body if you are depriving it of nutrients beneficial to your health, it does not pay to take a cure and then take a poison. JAM
Anonymous says
April 13, 2010 at 4:13 pmI’m in my early twenties and have just begun to face recurring UTIs. I had one in February and having been fighting one coming back ever since.
I was given two seperate antibiotics, and when they didn’t work I decided to research the alternatives.
I’ve a few things:
One: UTI bacteria can develop antibiotic resistance, and can ‘hide’ from the antibiotics treating them. OTC antibiotics are very harmful- encouraging good bacteria depletion and the overgrowth of harmful organisms such as candida. A natural herb called Forskohlii helps to kick stubborn hiding bacteria out of tiny pockets that naturally occur in the bladder- so what you’re taking can get to them.
Two: Good bacteria fends off bad UTI causing bacteria. Probiotic treatment has been researched and women with higher healthy levels of good vaginal bacteria get less UTIs. Topical application and internal ingestion of good bacteria encourages this growth.
Three: There are dozens of herbal and natural alternative remedies other than cranberry. I’m taking Olive Leaf extract tincture constantly and in large amounts- it’s a natural antimicrobial. It kills bacteria, viruses, and fungus, and essentially offers a natural antibiotic that doesn’t have the same devestating effects of OTC antibiotics. Other options are Goldenseal, Wild Oregano Oil and Uva Ursi (which works with alkaline urine). Bacteria also can’t develop resistance to these herbs.
I hope this helps someone- the doctors I’ve seen have largely struck me as helpless when it comes to effective UTI treatment. That being said, kidney complications should never be risked and doctors can be life-saving in those instances.
With the way I’m treating mine I have managed to stay off OTC antibiotics and feel I’m in control of my own body.
Anonymous says
April 26, 2010 at 12:14 amA few of your comments upset me. I am a 22 year old woman who suffers from recurrent UTI’s for the past 5 years. I have tried everything, drink plenty of water, urinate before and after sex, I take cranberry pills everyday and still get a UTI every month. I am a very clean person who does not use perfumed products. Have you ever experienced a UTI? I dont think you have. UTI’s for me are not preventable and a vaccine that will help fight off bacteria on their own is wonderful. I am not one to take vaccines that I know my body can fight off themselves. I did not want gardisel or the H1N1 vaccine but would be the first person to raise their hand on the test trial. Re think your article for the person like me. Also for a female military enlisted served in Iraq I wish I had this during my tour… many woman would have also. Sometimes being in the middle of no where its not like you can stop by a clinic and ask for remedies that will help cure an infection.
Anonymous says
April 26, 2010 at 2:51 pmThe problem with vaccines is, I do not trust Big-Pharma at all, for so many years they have been lying to us, with the blessings of the FDA of course, in some of our comments we are not being insensitive, or blaming the person for being dirty or any negatives for that matter, but as we already know the body is the one that has to do the work to attack any kind of offender, and is obvious if one has recurring UTI there is something missing in the puzzle, even if one gets a vaccine our system makes a choice whether to use it or reject it, we know antibiotics will kill even the friendly bacteria it does not discriminate, just imagine if one vaccine will be the answer for many, that will be great, but when we are cured it will be the downfall of Big- Pharma, you see there is something wrong in this picture, as we know nowadays that penicillin was once the king of antibiotics, some recurring maladies that the same killed in an instance, now it does not work at all, all I am saying here with all due respect for others, there has to be an answer other than a vaccine, my opinion feed your body with the good bacteria, get the good sugars, the Dr has good points, and he probably never experienced UTI, but I bet you he has seen many people suffer from same, just as I suffered with my wife when she was going through this hell as I was applying her intravenous medication, now my wife is replenishing with the good bacteria and seems to be working. JAM
Rebekah LaSala says
May 1, 2010 at 2:07 amI am disgusted that this doctor is actually telling those of us, who have tried D Mannose, Water, Cranberry Pills, avoiding sex, avoiding all potential germs, avoiding any harmful or acidic foods…and he is acting as if his remedy would solve everything. A VACCINE IS LONG OVERDUE PEOPLE. ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE SUFFERED 41 INFECTIONS IN ONE YEAR. THAT IS RIGHT! And I was in the hospital for one for 14 days through the IV.
I have gone to 13 urinary doctors before I found only a HALFWAY decent Urologist. And it really belabors the point that i have to even sit here and explain all this when the PERSON WHO WROTE THE ARTICLE WAS A MAN AND DOES NOT HAVE A VAGINA!
GET A LIFE, DOC!
Rebekah
Anonymous says
May 11, 2010 at 12:25 amHas anyone actually taken the vaccine yet? I am 25 and from the States, but living in Korea for a year and then doing a backpacking trip through SE Asia. I had about 15 UTIs last year and Kidney Stones. I have had two infections in the past year…one just last week. I am scared to get more, as they are excruciating, especially while in the middle of nowhere Asia… but also reluctant to begin a 6 month vaccine treatment. My urologist here wants me to begin the treatment in a few days, and I have to tell him yes or no.
Can anyone tell me if they have tried the vaccine? Did it work? Was there side effects? Would you recommend it? Thanks so much!
Anonymous says
May 12, 2010 at 6:23 pmi have been having UTIs for two years nearly once per month…. It is a horrible cycle of antibiotics and then of course Monistat (for the yeast infection following the antibiotics) and then back to another UTI…. I was recently started on Vitamin D and I have not had one since… I think that the vaccine would be beneficial if someone stays hydrated and eats and cranberry and vitamin c levels are appropriate… I think above all else every other prevention and treatment should be exhausted before that is the outcome though
Anonymous says
May 6, 2010 at 3:14 pmI am in my late twenties and have been experiencing recurring bladder infections for 10 years. I have tried everything – cranberry pills, dandelion tea, extremely thorough cleansing of that area before and after sex, voiding the bladder before and after sex, two stints of being on antibiotics for 8 month periods… and, my UTIs still come back and are even getting worse. I eat a healthy diet and exercise as regularly as I can (when I’m not recovering from a UTI).
While the author of this post has fine ideas of healthy eating and natural remedies – this does not work for everyone. Many of us who suffer from recurring UTIs have tried everything you’ve mentioned above. And STILL are not experiencing relief. This affects my job, my relationship with my fiance, my emotional health and I constantly worry that the bladder infections will soon lead to something even more serious, like bladder cancer.
I hope there a vaccine comes out soon – I will be in line.
Anonymous says
May 7, 2010 at 2:50 pmFor the past couple of years I’d often get UTIs and would treat it with cranberry, d-mannose, etc.–but the question is: why are some people more susceptible to infections than others?
And then I read that people who frequently get infections (urinary tract infections, upper respiratory tract infections, etc.) may be hypothyroid, according to Broda Barnes.
At least a hypothesis to check out….
Anonymous says
May 10, 2010 at 12:23 amI have a feeling the author of this doesn’t have chronic UTI’s.
I’ve been getting them ever since I became sexually active (sometimes 2x a month.) For years, I researched ways of preventing them and tried everything under the sun with no luck. The frequency of UTI’s I experienced lead to overuse of antibiotics which now have started giving me yeast infections. When I was young and had more of a libido and less responsibilities, I knew sex would usually lead to a UTI, but I was willing to take that risk. I am now 30, with a husband and 2 1/2 yr old and barely have time to brush my teeth let alone take time out for a UTI. I can take an antibiotic prophylactic and skip a UTI, but a week later I will get a yeast infection. Now to clear the yeast infections, I have to get a DR. prescribed cream, because over the counter stuff no longer works. For the last 2 years, I basically have stopped having intercourse with my husband for fear of infection. He is very patient with me, but it is totally undermining my relationship with him.
So anyway, I understand the author’s distaste for vaccines. I too am suspect of them, however, seeing as this burden has begun to make me severely depressed and is giving me panic attacks, I think I’ll take the risk and get the vaccine.
Anonymous says
May 20, 2010 at 10:38 pmYeh! Great a vaccine for utis! Wahoo! Thankyou for the very much repeated advice. Try taking it and still getting an infection once a month and then rewrite your column.
Anonymous says
May 25, 2010 at 2:58 amI completely disagree with you…I am all for the vaccine if they can create one…yes your body is supposed to fight those infections off but I have had uti’s since I was 5 yrs old. and since middle or high school its pretty much never gone away. I get on medication to help fight it off and in week i’ll go back and i’ll have another one! Doctors so far have been dumbfounded they havent been able to figure out whats causing it or how to get it to completely go away but if I could take a vaccine that could help me with this problem i would be so grateful to those people because this has been taking a huge toll on me for the past year. I just wanted to give you another perspective from someone who has found no other option so far. I am currently 21 years old and its only been getting worse.
Anonymous says
May 23, 2010 at 3:32 amwhen my dad gets urinary tract infections he go nuts like he picks things off the floor that our not there he thinks there things on the wall that our not there he is 70 does this happen to people alot if anyone had this happen let me know thank you
D.PARAMESWARAN says
July 26, 2010 at 2:11 amDr. Spreen! That was wonderful writing! People have a wrong mindset to seek wrong solutions and get complications and they can never get rid of diseases that can be easily got off by THE BODY ITSELF BY ITS OWN WORK OF REPAIR AND SELF SUSTENANCE. Just fasting, avoiding all drugs, more water(care!not for all) and herbs and yoga – a proper mixture of these will simply give you a fresh lease of life. Foreigners come to india and stay in low cost nature cure centres and cure themselves of permanent diseases easily.
I vouch for naturopathy, and auto maintenance by the body without chemical interventions of any kind, thru my site.
PS: The drugs for uti are very harmful, and have more sideeffects !
Anonymous says
August 9, 2010 at 6:20 pmObviously this article was written by a man who has never ecountered a UTI.
I have recurring UTI’s at least once a month. I follow all of the above guidelines and no matter what, it always seems to creep back. Having a UTI isn’t the most pleasant experience either. If you have had one you would know. Trying to see if that “route” specified above works after a FEW days would be hell. Anyone who has experienced a UTI knows that going with one for just an HOUR is very painful, let alone a few days. Why have more women suffer, have lost productivity at work, and millions of dollars spent on health care, when it can all be prevented by a simple vaccine.
This article is a joke. Leave it up to a man to comment on something he has never experienced. Why don’t I just write an article on erectile disfuction and how it’s not really that big of a deal. Eld men don’t need pills to help them get up. Until you have experienced one, you have no credibility writing about or judging others who have experienced UTI’s and would like to see the day of a vaccine to prevent future UTIs.
Anonymous says
November 18, 2010 at 3:18 pmtake out ALL sugar and grain (no wheat, no bread) from your diet. That includes most fruit, too, yes. And caffeine. If you can’t give up caffeine, stop drinking coffee and replace it by green tea.
yes, no corn, either. No soy. No milk.
And NO ALCOHOL!
Then eat a TON of live – non sugary – and regular fat, organic yogurt every day.
Make sure your bowels move at least once a day.
Take cranberry extract, drink lots of water and include wormwood/black walnut capsules – 3X twice a day.
I guarantee that if you stick with this for a month you’ll see a huge difference. But you have to stick to the above. For at least one month. I have been there. I’ve done it. This is from real life experience. Don’t get to a point where praying for a vaccine is the last thing you can do because your health is in the toilet.
Yogurt that works is key. Don’t buy regular crap. Find something more expensive and NON ADULTERATED. In the US, see if you can purchase Pavel’s Yogurt.
Once again – I am that person who got uti’s a LOT. I still get borderline sometimes, if I eat wrong, drink too much alcohol or have lots of sex and get dehydrated. Do the above, stick with it and you’ll feel good in the process.
Anonymous says
November 26, 2010 at 11:03 pmmy wife has dementia and has had 4 bladder infections this year…..this vaccine would be a life saver for her…
Anonymous says
December 2, 2010 at 1:28 ami disagree with this artical and his advice. trying something for 48 hr to see if it work might be alright for some but others like me that is not an option. with in 30min of the first sign of a UTI im flat out moving around the house and pretty much stuck on the toilet until i get some antibiotics.
i am a chronic uti sufferer and it has brought me to tears before just out of frustration and despair. Im very thankful for a very paitent and understanding hubby. i agree that there is something missing, for so many people to be effect by this, and no one able to give answers why. but for people like me that get UTI’s so often and a dessperate for some relife. i would love a vaccine, or anything to bring some normality back into my life and relationship.
im not one to rush out and get vaccinated for things, i haven’t had a vaccination since i was a kid. however if they do find a way to rid so many peoples live from UTI’s it will be a fantastic day.
thanks for some great advice by people who actualy know what the rest of us are going through. i will give a few things a try and fingers crossed they work.
this guy might have ment well by writing this artical, but until you have gone through a UTI you can’t tell us that following these steps is all you need to do, and so what if you get one every now and then. sorry mate but you are kidding yourself……
Anonymous says
December 14, 2010 at 4:11 amI have Interstitial Cystitis and because of that my lining is always inflamed, always primed for any UTI to barricade itself in. This vaccine would be a life saver for me. I can’t stop the UTI’s because my lining is so damaged.
Anonymous says
January 8, 2011 at 3:13 amI am having a very bad one now, I couldn’t make it to work for a week. This is the second one in a year, I am going nuts, I will take whatever comes out, new,old, natural not, I do not care. I dont want the pain anymore.
Anonymous says
January 27, 2011 at 1:17 amI agree, the author has obviously never had a UTI. I am sooooo excited about the possibility of a vaccine, and I hope that people’s ignorance won’t keep this vaccine from being developed. UTIs have ruined my sex life and relationship with my boyfriend, even though I do EVERYTHING in my power to prevent them (very good hygiene, use D-Mannose daily as a preventative, etc.). Bring on the vaccine baby!!!!