Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is a bacterial infection in the bladder or urethra. Common UTI symptoms are burning when you pee, a constant urge to go, and cloudy urine. Most UTIs clear quickly with antibiotics.

What Is It

Bacteria from the skin or bowel travel into the urethra and up to the bladder. Women get UTIs far more often because their urethra is shorter. Sex, holding urine, not drinking enough, menopause, pregnancy, and diabetes raise the risk. Men and children can get UTIs too.

Symptoms

Burning or pain when you pee
A strong, frequent urge to pee, often passing only a little
Cloudy, dark, or strong smelling urine
Pink or red urine
Pressure or cramping in the lower belly
In older adults, new confusion or weakness

Not sure it’s a UTI? Fever, chills, or pain in the back or side can mean the infection has spread to the kidneys. That is a kidney infection and needs care the same day. Sudden side pain in waves with blood in the urine may be a kidney stone.

Treatment

At your visit: A urine test checks for a UTI. Most UTIs are treated with a short course of antibiotics. A urine culture helps when infections keep coming back, during pregnancy, or in men and children.

At home:

Drink plenty of water to flush the bladder
Take every dose of your antibiotic
Use a heating pad on your lower belly for cramping
Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and spicy food until it clears

Most people feel better within 1 to 2 days of starting treatment.

When to Get Care for a UTI

Watch at Home

Very mild burning that started today, with no fever
Symptoms improving on antibiotics you already started
You are drinking plenty of fluids

Come to Urgent Care Today

Burning, urgency, or cloudy urine
Blood in your urine
Symptoms not improving after 2 days of treatment
A UTI during pregnancy
Three or more UTIs in a year
A child or man with UTI symptoms

Go to the Emergency Department

High fever with shaking chills and back pain
Vomiting that keeps you from keeping pills or fluids down
Confusion, fainting, or a racing heart
Unable to pee at all

FAQ

What are the first signs of a UTI?

The first signs of a UTI are usually burning when you pee and a sudden, frequent urge to go. Many people also notice cloudy or strong smelling urine and pressure in the lower belly.

Can a UTI go away on its own?

A mild UTI sometimes clears on its own, but many do not and can spread to the kidneys. Testing and treatment is the safest way to feel better.

How long does a UTI last with antibiotics?

A UTI usually improves within 1 to 2 days of starting antibiotics. Most courses last 3 to 7 days, and finishing every dose keeps it from coming back.

How do I know if my UTI is in my kidneys?

A UTI may have reached the kidneys when you have fever, chills, nausea, or pain in your back or side. These symptoms need to be seen the same day.

Can urgent care treat a UTI?

Yes, urgent care can test and treat a UTI in one visit. Vitality Urgent Care offers urine testing, with no appointment needed. No appointment or referral is needed.

Can children get UTIs?

Yes, children can get UTIs. Signs include fever, pain when peeing, new accidents, or belly pain. Babies may only have fever and fussiness, so a urine test is important.

Last reviewed October 2026