Urgent care treatment from Northwest Urgent Care can help with your urinary tract infection (UTI).
What is a UTI?
When any part of the urinary system becomes infected, a urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs. This includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. This infection can be uncomfortable.
Urinary tract infections usually occur when bacteria enters the urine or urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply inside the bladder. Although the urinary system is designed to keep bacteria out, these defenses can fail. When that happens, bacteria can take over and turn into infection inside of the urinary tract.
A majority of these infections involve the lower urinary tract, the bladder and the urethra. Women are at greater risk than men for developing a UTI, so, if you are a woman and you suspect you may have one, seek medical treatment.
Types of Urinary Tract Infections
Women are diagnosed with Simple UTIs (also known as acute cystitis or bladder infection) more often than men. This type of bacterial infection is usually caused by E. coli, a type of bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Sexual intercourse may lead to cystitis, but you don’t have to be sexually active to develop it.
Urethritis is an infection of the urethra. A UTI of this type can happen when GI bacteria spread from the anus to the urethra. Additionally, because the female urethra is close to the vagina, urethritis can be caused by sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and herpes.
Common UTI Symptoms
Urinary tract infection symptoms can be uncomfortable, but they are fairly easy to recognize. Symptoms of a UTI include:
- Painful and frequent urination.
- Urine that appears cloudy or reddish.
- Fever
- Pelvic pain
How Do We Diagnose and Treat a UTI?
A urinalysis, or a urine test, confirms the diagnosis of any urinary tract infection (UTI). From this urine sample, a urine culture can determine what type of bacteria is causing the infection and the type of antibiotics needed.
Antibiotics kill bacteria, so they are needed in order to clear up your UTI. You must see a medical professional to be prescribed antibiotics. Most urinary tract infections will be cleared up within 3-5 days of antibiotics.
Why Go to Urgent Care for Urinary Tract Infection Treatment?
A UTI needs to be treated with antibiotics as soon as possible, and the medical professionals at an urgent care center are here to provide you with much-needed relief from your urinary tract infection symptoms.
Northwest Urgent Care can provide these services and more, as they can help you deal with the pain and discomfort from your UTI without you having to wait for an appointment with your primary care physician or going to the emergency room.
At Northwest Urgent Care, we can determine if you have a UTI, diagnose the severity of your urinary tract infection and treat you for the symptoms while checking for anything that may make you higher risk for other issues. Call us today to schedule an appointment or walk-in today and start feeling better, sooner.
Contact Northwest Urgent Care Now
Northwest Urgent Care, located in Amarillo, Texas, is open every day from 9 am – 5 pm for patients who may need urgent care treatment. Our team of medical professionals is here to help with your UTI. Walk-in or make a reservation online.
