Final answer:
To treat postcoital UTIs, antibiotics like fluoroquinolones, nitrofurantoin, cephalosporins, or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole are common. For specific pathogens, the CDC recommends specific antibiotics like azithromycin or doxycycline. Antimicrobial resistance may require alternative treatments or combinations of antibiotics.
Step-by-step explanation:
To treat postcoital urinary tract infections (UTIs), a variety of antibiotics can be prescribed. Bacterial cystitis, a common type of UTI, is often treated with fluoroquinolones, nitrofurantoin, cephalosporins, or a combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole. It is important to note that treatment can be more challenging in elderly patients due to a higher rate of complications such as sepsis and kidney infections.
When a UTI is caused by specific pathogens like C. trachomatis, the treatment involves antibiotics such as azithromycin or doxycycline, which are the recommended regimens from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Alternative options include erythromycin, levofloxacin, and ofloxacin. Urine samples are typically tested to diagnose UTIs and to determine the appropriate antibiotic treatment.
It is also important to be aware of potential secondary infections resulting from antibiotic use, such as a yeast infection caused by Candida albicans, which can occur when antibiotics disrupt the normal vaginal microbiota.
If standard treatments fail due to antimicrobial resistance, as in the case with certain strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, more advanced antibiotics such as carbapenems may be required, contingent upon susceptibility profiles. For urethritis caused by N. gonorrhoeae, the CDC recommends a combination treatment with ceftriaxone and azithromycin due to the common co-infection with C. trachomatis. It's also crucial to treat sexual partners to prevent reinfection and the spread of infection.