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CareersA urinary tract infection (UTI) happens when any part of the urinary system becomes infected. This includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra and can be extremely painful or irritating. A trip to Manatee Urgent Care can help relieve your symptoms and treat the UTI with antibiotics.
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 it is important that if you are a woman and you suspect a UTI, you have it checked out by a medical professional. Infection limited to your bladder can be painful and lead to other issues if not treated.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, “Most infections in men are the result of problems that restrict normal urine flow, such as an enlarged prostate. It’s important to drink plenty of water when a UTI occurs to help flush bacteria from your urinary tract”.
Types of Urinary Tract Infections
Simple UTIs (also known as acute cystitis or bladder infection) occur more commonly in women than men. This type of UTI is usually caused by E. coli, a type of bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, making this type of UTI a bacterial infection. Sexual intercourse may lead to cystitis, but you don’t have to be sexually active to develop it.
An infection of the urethra is known as urethritis. 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.
Symptoms of a UTI
Symptoms of a urinary tract infection can be painful, but they are fairly easy to recognize. Common UTI symptoms include:
- Painful and frequent urination
- Urine that appears cloudy or reddish
- Fever
- Pelvic pain
Diagnosing and Treating a Urinary Tract Infection
To confirm the diagnosis of any urinary tract infection (UTI), a urinalysis, or a urine test, will be done. After collecting a urine sample, the urine culture can determine what type of bacteria is responsible for the infection and guide treatment by antibiotics.
Infections caused by bacteria need antibiotics in order to begin to relieve your symptoms, so you must see a medical professional in order to begin to feel better. In most cases, simple UTIs will resolve with 3-5 days of antibiotics.
Why Go to Urgent Care for Urinary Tract Infection Treatment?
A urinary tract infection needs to be treated with antibiotics, and the physicians at an urgent care center can provide much-needed relief from your urinary tract infection symptoms. Urgent care is a great choice to diagnose and treat your UTI without going to an emergency room or dealing with the inconvenience of trying to schedule an appointment with a primary physician.
At Manatee 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 assisting in clearing up the problem. Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment and start feeling better sooner rather than later.
Contact Us Now
Manatee Urgent Care, located in Bradenton, Florida, is open seven days a week with convenient daytime and evening hours for patients needing urgent care treatment. Manatee Urgent Care’s team of medical professionals is here to help with your UTI.
