URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS

Cystitis is more annoying than it is serious. Some cases may clear up on their own. However, if left untreated over longer periods, it may lead to a more serious kidney infection. So, if symptoms do not improve over time, it is important to seek medical advice.

Female Pharmacy customer: Hello, do you speak English?
PTA: Hello. Yes, I do. What can I do for you?

Could we go somewhere a little more private please?
Of course, we have a little back office for measuring customers’ blood pressure. Please follow me.

I am having trouble going to the toilet.
Do you mean that you have constipation?

No, I mean that I am having trouble urinating.
Do you have any other symptoms? You know: high temperature, pain in your side or even blood in your urine?

No, just this urge to pee all the time and it hurts when I do.
Could you describe the pain?

Yes, it’s a kind of burning sensation.
That sounds like cystitis.

Cystitis. Oh no! That doesn’t sound good!
Don’t worry! It’s only serious if you do nothing to treat it!

What could have caused it?
Oh a lot of things. Incorrect hygiene, using a diaphragm for contraception and even wearing synthetic underwear.

Well, I like taking baths. And some of the really feminine undies are only available in synthetic material.
You said that you didn’t have a temperature and that there was no blood in your urine. And that you didn’t have a pain in your side or in your lower back, correct?

Well, I am feeling a little achy in general and peeing does hurt, but no, I don’t have any other symptoms. Would it make a difference?
Certainly, those symptoms would indicate that you might have a kidney infection and you would need to consult your GP, who would then need to prescribe antibiotics.

Okay! So, what do you recommend?
I can recommend these dragées with bearberry extract.

Okay! Anything else?
You should avoid taking baths at the moment and shower instead.

Why?
The urinary tract is much shorter in women than it is in men, and the longer you sit in the bath, the more the chemicals in the bath salts and foam can irritate the genital area. You should also make sure to drink plenty of fluids.

Why? I mean it hurts when I pee!
Well, you don’t want the infection to spread, do you? And drinking water, and herbal tea will help the kidneys and urinary tract to be flushed out regularly and prevent the infection from spreading.

Oh! Okay! I’ll remember that, thank you.
If symptoms do not improve in the next two days or so, please go to your doctor.

Den Artikel finden Sie auch in die PTA IN DER APOTHEKE 02/17 ab Seite 84.

Catherine Croghan, Lecturer in English and native speaker