Urinary Tract Infection

About 40% of women and 12% of men develop urinary tract infections (UTIs) at some point in their lifetimes. At Urgent CareX in Denver and Colorado Springs, Colorado, the outstanding urgent and walk-in care providers sympathize with your UTI discomfort. They provide in-house lab testing and fast treatment on an urgent care and walk-in basis, so call the office nearest to you or use the online scheduling link for help today. 

What is a urinary tract infection?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection in one of the following areas.

• Urethra: the tube that carries urine out of your body
• Bladder: the organ that stores urine before it drains from your urethra 
• Ureters: the tubes that move urine from the kidneys to the bladder
• Kidneys: the organs that clean your blood and move waste into urine

UTIs usually start in the urethra or bladder, but the infection can gravitate to your kidneys. 

What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?

A UTI can cause symptoms such as:

• Burning sensation during urination
• Low back, or side pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Chills
• High fever
• Hematuria (blood in your urine)

The specific UTI symptoms can range from mild to severe, with more serious symptoms typically happening if your infection moves into your ureters or kidneys. 

If you have symptoms of a UTI, Urgent CareX can diagnose your condition on-site using a urine sample. 

What causes urinary tract infections? 

UTIs happen when harmful bacteria enter your urinary tract. Women are especially likely to develop UTIs because they have a short urethra. That means bacteria can easily get into the urinary tract through wiping after a bowel movement, sexual intercourse, or other ways. 

Other factors can also increase your risk of UTIs, including menopause, a weakened immune system, and using a diaphragm for birth control.

How are urinary tract infections treated?

The standard treatment for UTIs is a three-day course of antibiotics. More severe UTIs may require a longer course of up to two weeks. 

In most cases, you’ll start to feel better in just a day or two — but to thoroughly flush all the harmful bacteria from your urinary tract, you must finish all the antibiotics as directed. Drink plenty of water to help the process.

If you have chronic UTIs (more than three in a 12-month period), you might need to take low-dose daily antibiotics for at least six months. Or, you might need to take a dose of antibiotics after each time you have sexual intercourse if your UTIs start after sex. 

Urgent CareX offers accessible health care for UTIs, including urgent care and walk-ins in Denver and Colorado Springs. If you have UTI symptoms and need relief, call the office in your area or use the online scheduling tool to book an appointment today.