is it common practice for a doctor to prescribe an antibiotic without first checking for infection? (read on)?

Question

i told my doc that i have frequency and urgency with urination. we are also trying to conceive.
she said

"you have a urinary tract infection", then prescribed an antibiotic for UTI.

then she ordered a urine test, but she prescribed the antibiotic first.
what if i'm prego? i mean i had frequency and urgency with my first pregnancy. she prescribed a class C antibiotic (calss C for pregnancy).

doesn't she want to wait first to see waht the urine test shows?

Answer 1

That's a good question. I've seen quite a few doctors prescribe antibiotics for a UTI based primarily on the symptoms, with a urine culture ordered just to be certain. Are you sure she didn't dip the urine in the office (common office test used to check for white blood cells and blood) and then send it for a urine culture? I've seen doctors do that too. The symptoms for a UTI are pretty specific, and it's not usually anything else, so most doctors feel pretty comfortable prescribing an antibiotic based on the symptoms with a follow up urine test just to be verify that it was a UTI.
Did she do a pregnancy test first? She really should have done that before prescribing an antibiotic that has the potential to possibly hurt the pregnancy. Pregnancy tests are usually done in-house with the urine sample that you already provided for the urine culture.
That's why people should be in charge of their own healthcare and stay involved in the decision making. The best thing for you to do would be to bring your concerns to your doctor, and she can have the chance to explain why she did what she did.
Hope this helps!

Answer 2

I think it is. Doctors are so busy, they prescribe you stuff you don't need as a "precaution" they say. Don't take antibiotics if you don't need them you will build up a resistance to them. I had a little bacteria in my urine and the doctor prescribed me medicine for a uti. Turnsout I had a slight yeast infection, no irritation, I didn't even have the pain associated with uti (I've never had a UTI) I didn't take the medicine. I also think these doctors have something going on with these pharmaceutical companies. Please get a second opinion if you are concerned.

Answer 3

Well. If he is pretty sure..and you have the classic signs of a UTI, then you might as well start your antibiotics. it can take days for a urine culture to come back and I'm sure you would hate for it to get nasty before you start your meds. If you like you can just hold off on taking them until you get the results.

Answer 4

dr.'s commonly prescribe an antibiotic before the results of the tests come back. 9 times out of 10 they're right and you'll be half-way done with the antibiotics before the lab finishes the results. its done for your comfort. and as for harming the baby: most antibiotics won't hurt pregnacy, NOT taking antibiotics can.

Answer 5

do you know for sure that the anti biotic would harm your babay if you were pregnant? If you're not allowed to take that kind when pregnant i suggest you report her to the surgery manager. UTI are very common and easily diagnosed hence she didn't need to wait for results!!! If you don't take them could you be harming your baby further? Drink plenty of water and cranberry juice and peas in pods which will help you 'pee' it out!!! And try not to have sex while you've still got it!!!

Answer 6

perscriotion for a uti is not very strong. They usually give you one pill, then you wait three days and then take a second pill. It is normal. My doctor did this. It is very common for a pregnant women to get a uti.

Answer 7

The antiboitics could become resistant to the bacteria in your intestines (E. coli) and then when you do get an infection the E. coli could relase plasmids which could be picked up by the current bacteria causeing the infection and then the bacteria could not be killed by anti biotcs.

Answer 8

Get a second opinion!!
See another doctor if you are concerned!

Answer 9

you are so pregnant!