Why does urinary tract infection cause delirium

If the delirium is present and continues, a short-term course of antipsychotics may be needed. Prevention is also key. We should have a loved one drink plenty of water to keep them hydrated and to keep fluid moving through their system. Cookie Modal. We use cookies to offer you a better experience. Article Asset Publisher. Besides delirium, other UTI symptoms to watch for in our loved ones are: Urine that appears cloudy or bloody or has a strong odor A frequent need to urinate Pain or burning with urination Fever Treatment is handled through a course of antibiotics.

Call your doctor if you take a home test and get a positive result. Antibiotics are the treatment of choice for UTIs in older adults and younger people. Your doctor may prescribe amoxicillin and nitrofurantoin Macrobid, Macrodantin. More severe infections may require a broad-spectrum antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin Cetraxal, Ciloxan and levofloxacin Levaquin.

You should start antibiotics as soon as possible and take them for the entire duration of treatment as prescribed by your doctor. Stopping treatment early, even if symptoms resolve, increases the risks of recurrence and antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic overuse also increases your risk for antibiotic resistance. For this reason, your doctor will likely prescribe the shortest treatment course possible. Treatment typically lasts no more than 7 days, and your infection should clear up in a few days. This means taking an antibiotic every day to prevent a UTI. Healthy older adults may want to try over-the-counter UTI pain relievers such as phenazopyridine Azo , acetaminophen Tylenol , or ibuprofen Advil to ease burning and frequent urination.

Other medications are also available online. A heating pad or hot water bottle may help relieve pelvic pain and back pain. They can do this by:. Proper nursing home or long-term care is critical in preventing UTIs, especially for people who are immobile and unable to take care of themselves.

They rely on others to keep them clean and dry. If you or a loved one is a nursing home resident, talk to management about how they manage personal hygiene. A UTI can cause confusion and other symptoms of dementia in older adults. Taking preventive steps and looking out for UTI symptoms should help prevent infection. If your doctor diagnoses a UTI early, your outlook is good. Antibiotics cure most UTIs. Without treatment, a UTI can spread to the kidneys and the bloodstream.

This may lead to a life threatening blood infection. Severe infections may require hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics. These can take weeks to resolve.

Learn more about each stage and associated symptoms. Do you have a bladder infection? Learn about seven remedies for bladder infections that can ease symptoms and get rid of the infection.

Urinary tract infections UTIs are common. But they increase the odds for delirium, hospitalization and death in older adults who are frail. Discover how to help the older adult in your life. Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Related Articles. Another Pit Stop? Trending Topics. What Parents Need to Know.