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Dad has catheter that gets changed every month. He had a bladder infection last month and was hospitalized for 3 days. Should I ask for him to be put on low dose antibiotics long term to prevent bladder infection/UTI? It seems he is more awake and alert when he was on antibiotics. What other measures is there to prevent these infections? He can’t be going to hospital every time like this.

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Its not wise to be on antibiotics indefinitely. They become ineffective eventually. Your Dads problem is probably the catheter. To prevent another infection try cranberry tablets and maybe a probiotic. Alva, an RN, swears by D-Mannose to prevent them.
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You can test the urine at home. You must however learn to do this by sterile procedure, so that's something for you to discuss with the doctor. While you cannot test for specific bacteria (culture) you can test for signs of an infection, and collect urine for culture if there are any so that the lab can run a culture.

It used to be common to put elders on prophylactic antibiotics for frequent infections, and in fact I was threatened with this over a decade ago when I got frequent infections. Since I began to take the supplement D-Mannose once daily I have not had a single infection in more than a decade. Despite being an old retired RN and western med advocate who doesn't BELIEVE in most vitamins/supplements, I surely DO believe in D-mannose and it's worth a try. About 32.00 for 120 capsules and I myself use the brand Source Natural which I get on Amazon. Works like cranberry juice a bit in that it apparently keeps bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall. Worth a try.

All in all I would tell you to discuss with your Dad's doctor. I think they don't like to keep people on antibiotics prophylactically anymore, but am uncertain just how many infections you are dealing with here. Hoping you are POA for health and can discuss with your Dad's urologist.
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No. I was placed on months of antibiotics as a small child. I had chronic strep and ear infections (and chronic UTI).

I am 51 now and have to take huge dosages of antibiotics when I need them. I am resistant from all the constant antibiotics I had.
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