BMJ  2005;331 (16 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7509.0-b

Give antibiotics even if urine dipstick is negative

Women with symptoms of uncomplicated urinary tract infection but with a urine dipstick test negative for nitrites and leukocytes may still benefit from antibiotic treatment. In a prospective, double blind, randomised placebo controlled trial including 59 women, Richards and colleagues (p 143) found that 300 mg of trimethoprim daily for three days reduces the duration of dysuria and constitutional symptoms (feverishness, shivers) when compared with placebo. The number needed to treat was four. The authors say their results support the practice of empirical antibiotic use guided by symptoms.

Credit: P MARAZZI/SPL

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Response to antibiotics of women with symptoms of urinary tract infection but negative dipstick urine test results: double blind randomised controlled trial

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