Agony and the urge to pee: the growing evidence giving hope to chronic UTI sufferers

‘The finding was wonderful but it’s a first step,’ says Grace, who has has suffered from chronic UTIs most of her life. Illustration: Michelle Pereira/The Guardian

After enduring years of experimental and unhelpful treatments in Australia to treat her chronic urinary tract infections, Grace* took the drastic measure of flying to the UK to seek help for symptoms so painful she “could barely walk down the street”.

While common and uncomplicated cases of the infections, known as UTIs, are usually easily treated with a short course of antibiotics, this often does not work for chronic, recurring cases like Grace’s. Left untreated, UTIs can cause permanent kidney damage and life-threatening infections.