UTI Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore — And When to Seek Urgent Care

Your urinary system is made of four parts. The kidneys filter blood to change waste into urine; the ureters transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder; the bladder holds urine; and the urethra transports urine out of the body.

If any part of your urinary system develops an infection, it’s known as a urinary tract infection (UTI). Women are far more likely to get UTIs since they have shorter urethras. In fact, studies estimate that 50% of women will get a UTI at some point in their lives as opposed to 10% of men. 

While many UTIs are mild and respond well to antibiotics, sometimes they can be severe or recurrent, especially if treatment is delayed and the infection spreads. To prevent severe complications of a UTI, it’s important to recognize the symptoms so you can seek prompt treatment. 

Here, our urgent care team at San Feliz Urgent Care in Glendale, California, reviews telltale signs and symptoms of a UTI and when to come see us for effective care. 

Signs and symptoms of UTIs

A UTI occurs when bacteria enter your urethra and inflame the tissues in your urinary system. Generally, common UTI symptoms include frequent urination, pain or burning while urinating, and pelvic pain. However, symptoms may vary depending on where the infection is located.

If the infection is in your urethra, you may experience a burning sensation while urinating and unusual discharge. 

If the infection has gone to your bladder, symptoms can include:

• Frequent and painful urination
• Blood in your urine
• Pelvic pressure
• Lower abdominal pain

If the infection has spread to your kidneys, it can cause long-term damage to your kidneys and put you at risk for sepsis, a life-threatening infection. Signs that a UTI has traveled through your urinary system into your kidneys include:

• Pain in your back or side
• Nausea or vomiting
• Chills and a fever

Seek immediate treatment from our team if you notice any of these symptoms. 

Treating a UTI

When you visit our team at San Feliz Urgent Care for a possible UTI, we first do a urine test with our on-site lab services to confirm the infection. Depending on your symptoms, we may also perform a blood test to make sure the infection hasn’t spread to your bloodstream. 

Once we know the extent of the infection, our team prescribes antibiotics to get rid of the infection. You should start feeling better within a few days. 

If you suspect that you have a UTI, don’t wait to seek treatment. Schedule an appointment with our urgent care team to be seen quickly by calling our office or using our online booking feature today.