Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Medically reviewed by [Clinician name, credentials] on [date]

Pain or burning when you pee, and feeling like you have to go all the time, are classic signs of a urinary tract infection. UTIs are common, and they usually clear up with the right treatment. Here's how to tell what's going on, and when to get help fast.

This page is for general education. It isn't a diagnosis and doesn't replace a visit with a clinician.

What is a UTI?

A UTI happens when bacteria, often from the skin or rectum, get into the urethra (the tube that carries urine out) and infect the urinary tract. The CDC explains the two main types:

Bladder infection (cystitis). This is the most common type.
Kidney infection (pyelonephritis). This is less common but more serious.

UTIs are more common in women because the urethra is shorter and closer to the rectum. Other risks include recent sexual activity, menopause, pregnancy, older age, diabetes, an enlarged prostate, kidney stones, trouble emptying the bladder, and a past UTI. A UTI is not a sexually transmitted infection, though symptoms can look similar.

Common symptoms

Bladder infection:

Pain or burning while peeing
Peeing often, or feeling like you need to go even when your bladder is empty
Cloudy, bloody, or strong-smelling urine
Pressure or cramping in the lower belly or groin

Kidney infection (more serious):

Fever and chills
Pain in the lower back or side
Nausea or vomiting

In older adults, confusion or other mental changes may be the only sign of a UTI.

When telehealth works — and when you need in-person care

A clinician needs to decide if you have a UTI and which antibiotic is right. The CDC says this may include asking about symptoms, an exam, and urine tests if needed.

A video visit may be a good first step if:

You're an adult with mild bladder symptoms (burning, frequency, urgency)
You have no fever, back or side pain, or vomiting
You're not pregnant

Your clinician may still ask for a urine test at a lab before or during treatment. [CONFIRM: telehealth UTI protocol and lab access]

You'll likely need in-person care or testing if:

You might be pregnant
You're a man with UTI symptoms (MedlinePlus notes men often need a longer course, and the prostate may need to be checked)
You have signs of a kidney infection
Your symptoms came back soon after treatment, or you get UTIs often
There's a chance of an STI, since symptoms can overlap
You have a catheter, kidney stones, or a weakened immune system

How Oceanside Health can help

Prompt video visits to talk through your symptoms. [CONFIRM: same-day or next-day availability]
A careful decision about treatment. If an antibiotic is right for you, your clinician can send a prescription to your pharmacy. If testing is needed first, we'll tell you where to go.
Follow-up. The CDC says to check in if symptoms don't improve after starting antibiotics, or if they get worse.
Help with repeat UTIs. For people who get UTIs often, a clinician may suggest more testing, such as a urine culture, and prevention steps.

We see patients by video across Brevard County, including Merritt Island, Cocoa, and Melbourne. Please note that patients usually need to be located in a state where the clinician is licensed at the time of a telehealth visit. [CONFIRM: licensure details]

Helpful steps while you recover: drink plenty of fluids, take every dose of any antibiotic exactly as prescribed, and don't save or share antibiotics.

Call 911 or go to the ER if…

Go to the ER or call 911 if you have UTI symptoms plus:

High fever, shaking chills, and you feel very sick
Vomiting so you can't keep fluids or medicine down
Severe pain in your belly, back, or side
New confusion (especially in an older adult) or you're very hard to wake
Signs of a severe allergic reaction to an antibiotic: trouble breathing, swelling of the lips or tongue, or hives with dizziness

A kidney infection can sometimes lead to sepsis, a life-threatening reaction to infection. MedlinePlus notes that some people with severe kidney infections need hospital care.

Contact a clinician right away (same day) for back or side pain, chills, or fever, which can be early signs of a kidney infection. For babies under 3 months with a fever of 100.4 °F or higher, call their clinician right away.

Frequently asked questions

Can a UTI go away on its own?

Antibiotics are the standard treatment for a UTI. A clinician should decide whether you need one and which one. Don't use leftover antibiotics.

Does cranberry juice cure a UTI?

No. The NIH's National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says cranberry isn't recommended as a treatment for an existing UTI, and you shouldn't use it in place of proven treatment. It may help prevent repeat UTIs in some women, but the evidence is mixed. If you take warfarin, ask your clinician before using cranberry products.

How soon will I feel better?

MedlinePlus says bladder infection symptoms often go away within 24 to 48 hours after treatment starts. Kidney infections can take a week or longer.

How can I lower my chances of getting another UTI?

The CDC suggests peeing after sex, staying well hydrated, taking showers instead of baths, and avoiding douches, sprays, or powders in the genital area.

Book a visit

Feeling the burn? Book a visit or call 321-878-8195. Please don't send health details through this website or by email. We'll go over everything privately during your visit.

If you think you're having an emergency, call 911.

Sources

CDC. Urinary Tract Infection Basics. https://www.cdc.gov/uti/about/index.html
MedlinePlus (NIH). Urinary Tract Infections. https://medlineplus.gov/urinarytractinfections.html
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Urinary tract infection – adults. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000521.htm
MedlinePlus (NIH). Anaphylaxis. https://medlineplus.gov/anaphylaxis.html
NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Cranberry. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cranberry

Medically reviewed by [Clinician name, credentials] on [date]. Next review due: [date + 12 months].