What should I do if a urinary tract infection is causing pus discharge?
Under normal circumstances, pus discharge from the urinary tract may be caused by inadequate hygiene, insufficient water intake, acute cystitis, gonococcal urethritis, or acute pyelonephritis. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and follow a doctor's guidance for improvement through general management, medication, and other treatments. Specific explanations are as follows:
1. Poor hygiene: Failure to clean the urethral opening and surrounding areas regularly allows bacteria to grow and invade the urinary tract, leading to infection and pus discharge. Wash the urethral area and external genitalia daily with warm water, wear loose-fitting, breathable cotton underwear, change underwear frequently, and sun-dry it after washing to reduce bacterial growth.
2. Insufficient fluid intake: Low daily water consumption results in reduced urine production, which fails to adequately flush the urinary tract, allowing bacteria to multiply and worsen the infection, potentially causing pus discharge. Increase daily water intake to 1500–2000 mL, promote frequent urination to flush out the urinary tract, and reduce bacterial residue.
3. Acute cystitis: Often caused by Escherichia coli infection, inflammation irritates the bladder mucosa, resulting in frequent urination, urgency, and dysuria; severe cases may involve pus discharge. Patients should take medications such as levofloxacin tablets, cefuroxime axetil tablets, or nitrofurantoin enteric-coated tablets under medical supervision to relieve symptoms.
4. Gonococcal urethritis: Caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection, this condition mainly presents with redness and swelling of the urethral opening, pus discharge, along with urinary frequency and dysuria. Treatment includes medications such as ceftriaxone sodium injection, spectinomycin hydrochloride injection, or cefixime capsules, as prescribed by a physician.
5. Acute pyelonephritis: Bacteria ascend from the bladder to infect the renal pelvis, causing inflammation. In addition to pus discharge, symptoms include high fever and flank pain. Patients should receive treatment under medical guidance using drugs such as ceftriaxone sodium injection, levofloxacin hydrochloride injection, or amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium tablets.
In daily life, avoid spicy and irritating foods, quit smoking and alcohol to reduce irritation of the urinary tract; maintain good sexual hygiene by cleaning the external genital organs before and after intercourse; follow a regular sleep schedule, exercise appropriately, enhance physical immunity, promote recovery from infection, and reduce the risk of recurrence.