If you've had a UTI, you're familiar with the uncomfortable symptoms that come along with it. Visiting the doctor to get an antibiotic for your UTI can seem daunting, so is it really necessary? An untreated UTI can cause serious, life-threatening conditions. It's important to receive any necessary treatments to ensure your symptoms clear up.

AFC Urgent Care Aurora Saddle Rock is here to provide any patient with the necessary medication they need for their conditions. If you find yourself with the symptoms of a UTI, visit our walk-in center any day of the week.

What is a UTI?

A UTI is an infection in your lower or upper urinary tract. This includes your urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys. Most UTIs are mild, and they occur in the lower urinary tract. If the infection moves into your kidneys or the upper urinary tract, more serious complications can occur. UTIs are caused by bacteria and can be cleared up with an antibiotic.

What are the symptoms of a UTI?

Most symptoms of a UTI are mild. They can include:

• Pain or a burning sensation while urinating
• A frequent urge to urinate, even if not urinating that much
• Pelvic pain
• Blood or dark-colored urine

If the UTI moves into the upper urinary tract, you're more likely to experience pain in your back near your kidneys.

Will a UTI go away on its own?

It is possible for UTIs to go away on their own, it's referred to as an uncomplicated UTI. When this occurs, it is mostly in healthy adult women who have no other health problems. However, there is no way to predict when a UTI will clear up on its own and when it won't, and leaving it untreated can cause serious damage.

A significant number of women end up hospitalized from leaving their UTI untreated. So, while it's possible it may clear up itself, it's safer to simply visit AFC Aurora Saddle Rock and receive treatment.

What are the dangers of an untreated UTI?

The two most common dangers of a UTI are pyelonephritis and sepsis.

Pyelonephritis

This is a kidney infection that results from a UTI moving into the upper urinary tract. It can happen in 2% of cases that are left untreated. Pyelonephritis causes nausea and vomiting, fever, and pain in the side. It can be treated with antibiotics without serious kidney damage.

If still left untreated, however, it can cause permanent kidney damage and scarring.

Sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition. It occurs when the body has too much inflammation from trying to fight off infection. 1.7 million Americans get sepsis every year. Sepsis occurs in 30% of untreated UTIs. Those with a history of urinary tract procedures, those over 65, and those with a suppressed immune system are at the highest risk of getting sepsis from a UTI.

Sepsis requires immediate emergency medical attention.

How long can you leave a UTI untreated?

You shouldn't leave a UTI untreated for an entire week. It's recommended for healthy adult women to receive treatment after at least two days. Try and visit AFC Aurora Saddle Rock or your primary care physician as soon as you notice the symptoms of a UTI.

Since we will never know who may have their UTI cleared up on its own, you should plan to receive medical attention. Visit AFC Urgent Care Aurora Saddle Rock any day of the week for UTI treatment or other urgent care services.