I was diagnosed with UTI recently after seeing blood in my urine, and exhibiting a fever (chills/hot flashes). Two days on the antibiotics, the symptoms have mostly disappeared and I feel better. I have one day of antibiotics left.
Does anyone know (through previous experience), when is the minimum acceptable time until I start training again? I’ve got an IM distance race in a little over 3 weeks and have yet to bust out the 6 hour ride yet.
I asked my doctor and he has no clue. I wouldnt typically solicit advice on a forum but I’m sure that UTI must have been (painfully) experienced by someone here.
I had a UTI a couple of months ago. I started training immediately after my fever broke (after about 3 days on antibiotics). No problem - just don’t go out hammering. Make sure to get plenty of fluids and - this is the most important part - urinate as often as possible. Apparently you are more likely to get a UTI if you “hold it in” - that’s why many endurance athletetes get them.
I’m going to give it a try tomorrow, maybe go for an easy swim or something. Energy levels are almost back… just taking it easy to ensure the body recovers fully.
You can train as soon as you feel well enough. I get 1 or 2 UTIs a year. Although I know the symptoms and can catch it before it gets bad enough to cause blood or a fever. Make sure you hydrate well, it will hurt if you don’t.
Thanks. I’m usually very well in tune with my body, and I did sense that peeing started to feel uncomfortable the day before. There was no blood at that point, but soon after, I started getting chills and hot flashes… and that’s when I knew I had a full blown infection. When I started drifting in and out of alertness at work, I immediately went to my doc…
So far I’m on the mend and hope to be back at work tomorrow. Hopefully well enough to crank out a ride by Saturday!
Arthur, you may want to check with a urologist. It’s pretty unusual for men to get urinary tract infections. Women have a shorter urethra so introduction of bacteria into the bladder is an easy thing to do–they can get a bladder infection from wiping incorrectly, sexual intercourse, etc. Men however have a significantly longer urethra and since urine is sterile, it’s harder to introduce bacteria into the male bladder. Once the antibiotic is done and the symptoms are gone, you can start training right away. If the symptoms return, however, you may have a prostate or other issue that needs to be addressed. Good luck.