Causes

• UTIs are caused by foreign pathogens. According to Johns Hopkins University, the most frequent cause of a UTI is E. coli bacteria from one's own body.
  
  Other offending pathogens can include P. aeruginosa, streptococci, adenovirus and others.
  
  

Treatment

• To cure a UTI, a candidate treatment must attack and kill the offending pathogens. The treatment must have a mechanism of action to which the pathogens are vulnerable. Furthermore, it must maintain its potency after being ingested and circulated to the urinary tract.
  
  

Coke

• Coca-Cola, like other soft drinks, contains water, sweetener, acidifier, colorant and a bevy of flavoring agents. None of these substances exhibit a mechanism of attack against urinary pathogens.
  
  The acidity of the urinary tract cannot be altered by ingestion of Coca-Cola.
  
  

Success

• Successful UTI treatment consists of antibacterial medicines, and occasionally antivirals. Frequently used pharmaceuticals include sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SMX-TMP), nitrofurantoin, and members of the fluoroquinolone family.
  
  According to the University of Maryland, there is some indication that pure cranberry juice may help prevent a UTI. It is unclear if it can also shorten a UTI's duration.
  
  

Relief

• While beverages cannot cure a UTI, mild symptom relief, while waiting for antibiotics to take effect, may come from hot baths/showers and a heating pad.
  
  Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) may also be prescribed to provide short-term symptom relief while antibiotics take effect.