Urgent Care for UTI Treatment
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are extremely common.
In the United States alone, they are the second most common type of infection in the body and the reason for over 8 million visits to primary care offices and urgent care centers each year.
While they are much more prevalent in women (affecting 50-60% of all women), approximately 3 in 25 men will have symptoms of a urinary tract infection during their lifetime.
Keep reading to find out why they happen, what they feel like, how long they last, and how urgent care for UTIs can help you feel better fast.
CareWell Urgent Care centers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island are open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., helping you get the UTI treatment you need sooner.
Common UTI Symptoms
The most common symptoms of a UTI include:
- Constant “need to go” sensation
- Feeling as though you are unable to empty your bladder fully
- Sudden urges to urinate
- Persistent lower abdominal pain
- Excruciating pain when urinating, especially when dehydrated
- Urine that is cloudy, foul-smelling, or contains blood
While you can help ease symptoms at home by increasing your liquids (e.g., water and cranberry juice), most UTI treatments recommend a course of antibiotics.
If you or a loved one are experiencing these symptoms, you may be asking yourself, “Can I go to urgent care for a UTI?” The answer is yes.
At CareWell Urgent Care, we offer high-quality urgent care for urinary tract infections. Our centers are staffed with compassionate, non-judgmental providers ready to provide you with on-site testing and can prescribe antibiotics needed to treat a UTI and alleviate symptoms.
UTI Causes
Here are eight UTI causes and tips for preventing them
- Sexual activity
The motion from sexual intercourse can transfer bacteria from the bowel or vaginal cavity into the urethra. You can lower your risk of urinary tract infection by doing the following:- Stay hydrated before sex
- Urinate (pee) within 15 minutes of sex
- Gently cleanse the area around (not inside) your urethra and vagina with plain warm water soon after sex
- Avoid tight clothing after sex to discourage bacteria growth
- If you struggle with recurrent infections, ask your doctor about a post-sex prophylaxis medication to help prevent UTI recurrence
- Feminine care products
Feminine products like pantyliners, pads, and tampons can trap more heat and moisture than underwear. If you need these products, change them regularly (about every 3-4 hours) to stay fresh and avoid excess bacteria, which can lead to UTI. - Holding your pee
Holding your urine for six hours or more can increase your risk of UTI. Bacteria that can stay in your bladder for too long have time to overgrow, increasing your risk of infection. As a rule of thumb, we recommend voiding (peeing) once every 3-4 hours. - Dehydration
Staying hydrated helps dilute your urine and lowers the concentration of bacteria in the bladder. We recommend drinking at least 50 ounces of fluid daily to help prevent UTI symptoms. - Constipation
Constipation makes it difficult to fully empty your bladder, which means trapped bacteria have lots of time to overgrow and increase your risk of infection. - Diarrhea
Bacteria from bowel movements can make their way into your vagina and urethra. To help avoid this, wipe from front to back every time you use the bathroom. - Uncontrolled diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when your blood glucose (blood sugar) is too high. High blood sugar creates a favorable environment in your bladder for bacterial overgrowth and UTIs. - Kidney stones
Kidney stones are small, hard clumps of minerals and acid salts that stick together in concentrated urine. These clumps increase your risk of getting a UTI because they can block the urinary tract, giving bacteria plenty of time to grow.
How Long Does a UTI Last?
An untreated UTI can last for several weeks or more. Moreover, if the infection spreads, you have an increased risk for more severe health conditions like a kidney infection.
That’s why seeking urgent care services for UTI treatment is so important.
With the correct UTI medication, most infections will go away completely within three to seven days, with symptoms stopping within the first 48 hours.
If you’re in considerable pain, ask your walk-in urgent care clinic to recommend over-the-counter pain relievers to help relieve pain, burning, urgency, and frequency associated with urinary tract infections while you heal.
Fast, Effective UTI Treatment at CareWell Urgent Care
If you’ve ever struggled with UTI symptoms before, then you know how quickly they can accelerate and become debilitating—both physically and mentally.
The faster you can begin antibiotics for UTI, the better.
If you or a loved one needs urgent care for a UTI, the compassionate and experienced urgent care centers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island are ready to help you feel better with fast, effective UTI treatment.
Don't let urinary tract infection symptoms linger—visit CareWell Urgent Care today.
We are open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
In addition to treating urinary tract infections, we can help with a variety of conditions and ailments. Learn more about the symptoms treated at urgent care.
Find the nearest location now for the treatment you need today.
