A Urinary Tract Infection Might Require Urgent Care

A urinary tract infection may not be an emergency, but it certainly requires urgent care. Unless you catch it early and you're able to stop it with a strict regime of cranberry juice, it can quickly develop into a painful and embarrassing problem. If you think you have a UTI and find no relief after a week, it is probably time to visit a doctor to receive some antibiotics.

A urinary tract infection is fairly common among women and occurs less often in men. It is a bacterial infection, so it can be acquired in a number of ways. In women, generally, bacteria from the bowels can be spread from the anus towards the vagina (for this reason, it is recommended that women wipe with toilet tissue from front to back to prevent moving bacteria). Or, it can be spread in any number of other ways including sexual intercourse. Once a woman has had one UTI, it is very common for her to develop them again in the future. The reason why some people are more susceptible to an infection is still unknown.

There are several symptoms that indicate a UTI, and often when an individual has experienced one in the past they are quick to spot them as they first develop. A frequent need to urinate but with little resulting waste is the one of the first signs. As the infection progresses, the urge to urinate will become even greater. Symptoms that follow are often a burning or painful sensation when passing urine and in some cases visible blood. Some people will develop a fever and pain in their lower body. Vomiting can also be a symptom in some cases.

Early on, a urinary tract infection can be managed through homeopathic remedies and can sometimes even be completely cleared without a visit to urgent care. Cranberry juice or tablets is the most popular method and can help clear the infection from the urethra and kidneys. It does, however, take large volumes to completely flush the body. For some people this method is not desirable as they will be forced to urinate frequently and juice can be highly caloric. By the time the UTI has progressed to the point of pain, blood, or other more serious symptoms, a short course of antibiotics is needed.

A simple urine test at an urgent care facility can reveal the prognosis and most patients will be assigned a week's treatment of antibiotics to clear out the infection. In a small percentage of cases, a different antibiotic than the one prescribed may be necessary, meaning another visit to the doctor. In general, most UTIs will either disappear on their own (about 50%) and the rest can be cured with some simple medication. In a few rare cases, however, kidney damage can develop and lead to many complications in the future, even kidney failure. If you find antibiotics ineffective or the symptoms continue after treatment, seek urgent care help immediately.