Cranberry Juice is your friend... even the Mayo clinic online says so. If you keep drinking it between now and when you leave (and when you get there - bring some, buy some, something) it will really cut the risk of a future infection.
I've been prone to them since childhood and my doctor has a standard "nag" list that if I pay attention to really helps. Please don't take any of these the wrong way, I'm just listing her list pretty much verbatim.
1. drink lots of liquids and "go" whenever you feel the need - don't hold it.
2. drink cranberry juice periodically even if you don't feel like you're getting one - and drink it frequently when you're exposed to things that often lead to one.
3. the usual duh! of stay clean - particularly during your TOM.
4. stay dry - don't wander about in wet clothing or swimsuits - on long trips where its hard to change clothes mid-day and its hot enough I know I'll be sweating I sometimes use the "everyday" type liners... the little ones.
5. I don't know how to phrase this one
- Drink a glass of water before, and always go to the bathroom after any non-public displays of affection. My doctor swears this one is almost the most important.
6. wear cotton or breathable clothing - this goes back to the stay dry.
As a kid I used to get them ALL the time, now that I follow the list above its usually only a problem when certain things happen (long road trips where I don't drink enough, TOM etc...).
With UTI's - prevention is the best cure. Good luck and drink that cranberry juice!
ps - make sure you get cranberry juice with the most cranberry in it - not the blends where its like 27% juice but the first 1-2 juices on the list are white grape and apple - you want maximum cranberry content so stick to all-cranberry juice ones, or the ones where they list the cranberry juice content separately and its at least 18-20% of product total.
