Are you experiencing burning or urgency with urination? You may have a urinary tract infection or UTI. UTIs can occur in both men and women at any age. At GoHealth Urgent Care we can diagnose and treat your UTI symptoms at any of our convenient locations, just walk in or save your spot online for same day care.
If you are experiencing burning during urination or an increased feeling of urinary urgency, these may be symptoms of a UTI or another common infection. These types of infections can lead to more serious complications, like a kidney infection, if left untreated.
It is important to seek medical attention and start treatment as soon as possible. At GoHealth Urgent Care we can help diagnose you at the first sign of a UTI, so you can feel better faster.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a type of infection that occurs in the urinary system, most commonly in the bladder and urethra. UTIs are caused when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply. This eventually leads to an infection.
These infections are more common in women because the female urethra is shorter than a male’s, making it easier for bacteria to enter the bladder. Nonetheless, UTIs can occur in men as well. UTIs can be painful and uncomfortable. They can cause serious complications if left untreated without medical treatment.
UTI symptoms for women and men can have some commonalities. These may include:
A UTI symptom for women may also show up as pain in the pelvic area. UTI symptoms for men can differ and may sometimes overlap with other prostate symptoms. Evaluating the underlying cause of the symptoms you are experiencing is essential to getting the right treatment.
Depending on the location of the infection other symptoms may also occur. For example, if the infection is in the kidneys, you might experience back or side pain, fever, chills, nausea or vomiting in addition to the symptoms described above.
UTIs are commonly caused by a bacteria called Escherichia coli (E.coli). This type of bacteria lives in our digestive tract and due to women’s anatomy, it can be easily transferred to the urethra.
Sexual intercourse can increase the chance of UTIs in women, but that is not always the cause. Menopause, pregnancy, and certain types of birth control may also increase the chance of UTIs. Other causes of UTI symptoms for men and women include:
While you can experience different causes and symptoms of UTIs, medical treatment is required to help prevent complications.
The process of diagnosing a UTI can depend on your medical history. For some, a Virtual Visit evaluation may suffice to help you get the treatment you need.
An in-center physical exam may be required, especially if you’ve never been diagnosed with a UTI before. The physical exam may involve:
of your medical history and frequency of UTIs.
to look for white blood cells, red blood cells and bacteria.
Most UTIs are treated with antibiotics. The type of antibiotic you will need depends on the type of bacteria that is present and your medical history. Depending on the severity of your UTI symptoms, you may also be prescribed medication to numb your symptoms. Symptoms should resolve within a few days of starting the antibiotics, though the full course of the prescription should be completed.
If you are experiencing frequent UTIs, further evaluation and treatment may be required. Fortunately, we can quickly refer you to the right provider in our network.
If you have had a UTI, you may be wondering how to prevent a UTI from coming back. Prevention is important and possible when it comes to UTIs. A few things that can help with UTI prevention include:
These few simple lifestyle changes can help you reduce the frequency of painful UTIs
Painful urination or pain in the pelvic area can not only be a sign of a UTI, but also other genital or urinary-related conditions. At GoHealth Urgent Care we can help with those as well.
Other medical conditions we can help diagnose and treat include:
Note that we do not offer pap smears, HPV testing or other routine annual gynecological visits. We would be happy to connect you with an in-network provider if needed.
A few of the most common women’s health concerns treated at urgent care’s through our healthcare partners include the following:
Burning with urination, also called “dysuria,” is a frequent symptom that can have multiple underlying causes and can affect both men and women. The most common cause is an infection, but it is always best to speak to a healthcare provider to help determine the best course of treatment.
Vaginal infections (also called vaginosis) are common, affecting tens of millions of women in the U.S. each year. Here are five of the most common causes of vaginosis, as well as the recommended treatment: