Can Immunotherapy Help Resolve My Recurrent UTIs?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections. While it can affect both women and men, women are 30 times more likely to get an infection than men. Also, 4 in 10 women who get a UTI will also develop a re-infection within six months. 

A single UTI is easily treatable with antibiotics. However, managing recurrent infections (two or more infections in six months or three or more in a year) can be more complicated. Surprisingly, immunotherapy has shown promise as a potential long-term treatment for recurrent UTIs.

Immunotherapy is well-known for treating allergies and asthma, but it’s now being explored for broader applications, including its ability to help prevent recurring bacterial infections. 

At Advanced Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Center PA in San Antonio and Schertz, Texas, our lead allergist, Dr. Patricia Gomez Dinger, is leading the way in offering this cutting-edge treatment.

Take a moment as she explains how immunotherapy works and why it’s gaining attention in treating UTIs.

What are UTIs, and why do they keep coming back?

UTIs develop when bacteria, most often Escherichia coli (E. coli), enter the urinary tract. While your body’s defenses usually prevent bacterial infections, factors such as poor hygiene, hormonal changes, or even a history of antibiotic use can make the urinary tract more susceptible. 

Recurrent UTIs are particularly frustrating because they create a relentless cycle of infection, antibiotic treatment, and re-infection. Traditional treatments involve antibiotics, which target the bacterial infection directly. However, the overuse of antibiotics can lead to resistance, leaving patients with fewer effective options over time. 

This limitation drives researchers to explore alternative therapies, including immunotherapy.

What is immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is best known for treating allergies. It works by exposing your immune system to small, controlled doses of allergens over time. This process desensitizes your immune system, reducing its overreaction to harmless substances like pollen, pet dander, or dust.

But immunotherapy’s potential doesn’t stop at allergies. By training the immune system to recognize and respond more effectively to harmful pathogens, researchers are exploring its use in preventing recurrent bacterial infections, such as UTIs. 

How does immunotherapy help with UTIs?

Recurrent UTIs occur because your immune system is unable to completely clear bacteria out of your urinary tract, making it easy for you to get re-infected. Instead of relying on antibiotics to kill bacteria, immunotherapy boosts your immune system’s ability to recognize and fight off bacteria before they cause infection.

Several studies have explored the use of immunotherapy for UTIs. Some researchers have developed vaccines designed to train the immune system to target common UTI-causing bacteria, such as E. coli. 

These vaccines work similarly to allergy immunotherapy, exposing the body to safe doses of bacterial components to trigger a protective immune response.

If you’ve been dealing with recurrent UTIs, immunotherapy has the potential to help you break free from the cycle of antibiotics and re-infection. It addresses the root cause of infections and strengthens your immune system. 

Whether you’re interested in immunotherapy for UTIs or allergies, request an appointment with us online at Advanced Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Center PA, or call your nearest office today.