You may not think a urinary tract infection (UTI) is a big deal, but if left untreated, UTIs can lead to serious complications like kidney or bladder damage. And because a course of antibiotics is the only effective treatment to knock out a UTI, it’s crucial you see a medical professional for treatment.
But since a UTI can strike at any time of day or on any day of the week, your best bet for care might be an urgent care center.
Read below to learn more about UTI causes and symptoms, how UTIs are diagnosed and treated and when you should visit your local urgent care for a UTI.
What Is a UTI?
According to the American Urological Association, about 10 in 25 women and 3 in 25 men will eventually experience a UTI. A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection in your urinary system.
Your kidneys have the important job of cleaning waste and extra fluids from your bloodstream. This waste, now called urine, moves from the kidneys to the bladder through tubes called ureters. The bladder stores the filtered-out urine, and when it’s full, your bladder signals your body that it's time to pee. The urine flows from the bladder through the urethra and exits the body.
But if bacteria enter the urinary system, either through the bloodstream or the urethra, you can end up with a UTI.
Types of UTIs
UTIs are normally caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria; however, they can also be caused by other types of bacteria, including Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Proteus mirabilis.
Most UTIs occur in the lower urinary tract, which includes the bladder and urethra. A bladder UTI is known as cystitis, and a urethral UTI is called urethritis.
UTIs can also travel to the upper urinary tract, affecting the kidneys and ureters (tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder). This is known as pyelonephritis.
Common Causes of UTIs
There are several different causes and risk factors for UTIs, including:
- Sexual activity
- Dehydration
- Diaphragm birth control usage
- Female anatomy (women are at higher risk than men due to having a shorter urethra)
- Enlarged prostate in men
- Kidney stone or other type of urinary blockage
- Poor hygiene of the genital area
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Recent surgery on the urinary system
- Urinary catheter use
- Weakened immune system
Common UTI Symptoms
If you’re experiencing a UTI, you may have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Back pain
- Burning sensation when urinating
- Chills
- Cloudy, strong-smelling or bloody urine
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Pelvic pain (in women)
- Urinating very small amounts only
Why It’s Important to Treat UTIs
Not only is a UTI uncomfortable to deal with, but it can lead to serious complications if left untreated. If you're asking yourself, "Should I go to urgent care for a UTI?” the answer is yes, because the quicker you receive treatment, the sooner you’ll feel better, and you’ll reduce your risk of complications.
Possible health complications caused by an untreated UTI include the following:
- Bladder damage
- Chronic kidney disease
- Pregnancy issues
- Pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
- Repeated UTIs
- Sepsis (infection moves to the bloodstream)
- Scarring and narrowing of the urethra in men
- Urosepsis (sepsis in the urinary tract)
How to Treat a UTI
The first step when you visit your local urgent care for a UTI is a urine test, like a urinalysis or urine culture, to look for the presence of bacteria.
If testing confirms your diagnosis, your health care provider will talk to you about your treatment options. The standard treatment of care for most UTIs is a prescription for antibiotics.
Common types of antibiotics prescribed for UTIs include:
- Amoxicillin
- Ceftriaxone
- Cephalosporins, including cephalexin
- Doxycycline
- Fosfomycin
- Nitrofurantoin
- Sulfonamides, including trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole
Depending on the severity of your UTI and your health history, your doctor may instruct you to take antibiotics for a few days up to a week. Always complete the entire course of antibiotics, even if you're feeling better.
Most people begin to feel relief a few days into treatment. Over-the-counter pain relief can help with any pain. And drinking plenty of water can also help alleviate UTI symptoms faster.
Our expert urgent care providers can also provide tips on lowering your risk for future UTIs, including the following:
- Adding probiotics to your diet
- If you menstruate, choosing tampons over sanitary pads
- Don't hold in urine when you have to go
- Drinking cranberry juice or taking a cranberry supplement
- Staying hydrated
- Choose showers over baths
- Always pee after sexual activity
- Wear underwear made from a breathable fabric like cotton
- If you have a vulva, always remember to wipe from front to back
When to Go to Urgent Care for a UTI
You should also visit your local urgent care for a UTI if you:
- Are pregnant (UTIs can increase the risk of pregnancy-related complications)
- Consistently experience UTIs
- Experience serious symptoms such as a fever, chills, nausea or vomiting, which can be a sign of a more severe infection
- Have a weakened immune system from diseases like diabetes and cancer
- Have continuous symptoms that don't get better
- Severe discomfort or inability to urinate
What to Expect at Urgent Care for a UTI
When you visit your nearest AdventHealth Centra Care location for a suspected UTI, you’ll check in and fill out a form to let us know your medical history and any symptoms you’re currently experiencing.
One of our board-certified urgent care physicians or advanced practice providers (APPs) will conduct a quick exam, including taking your vitals, such as your blood pressure and heart rate. They’ll also talk to you about your symptoms.
To confirm a UTI diagnosis, you will be asked to provide a urine sample, which will be checked for signs of infection. Most AdventHealth Centra Care locations have onsite lab testing services, allowing for immediate test results.
If your urine tests positive for an infection, treatment may include a prescription for antibiotics and maybe a pain reliever. Your provider will also talk to you about other ways to relieve your symptoms, such as staying hydrated.
Your provider will suggest a follow-up with your AdventHealth Primary Care+ physician if your symptoms don’t improve or if you start to get UTIs consistently.
Your doctor will also provide information on how to lower your risk of future UTIs.
Get UTI Treatment When You Need It
Dealing with a UTI is often more than just an annoying inconvenience. UTIs are uncomfortable, and the symptoms can negatively impact your work, sleep and daily activities. While most UTIs are not serious, if left untreated, they can lead to serious health issues.
Visiting an urgent care near you for UTI treatment allows you to receive medical care quickly and on your schedule, bringing fast relief.
Remember to always seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe or persistent UTI symptoms, as they can be a sign of a more serious infection.
If you or a loved one needs fast and effective quality care for a UTI or any other urgent care services, visit your local AdventHealth Centra Care urgent care center now.
