A urinary tract infection, or UTI, have likely caused a large number of women to experience painful symptoms and look for immediate treatment. Public health experts suggest that 1 in 2 women will have at least one UTI in their entire lifetime, which means that finding the appropriate treatment option is key to keep your infection from worsening.

The good news is that urgent care centers and local walk-in clinics, are an ideal medical option for treating a UTI. Many patients may not realize that urgent care centers can help guide patients through a diagnosis, provide treatment, and continue care through an easily-accessible medical clinic.

So what do patients need to know about UTI treatment? How does an urgent care center help?

What are the causes of a UTI?

Before treatment, women will need to ensure that they are accurately diagnosing a UTI before following up with treatment. Per the Mayo Clinic, the main causes of of a UTI are from bacteria that enter the urinary tract, bladder, or kidneys. The risk of a bacterial infection include a women's shorter urethra, which makes it easier for bacteria to enter, sexual activity, some forms of birth control, urinary abnormalities, and autoimmune issues.

Any of the causes and risks mentioned above can lead to sudden symptoms in a select few patients. However an intial UTI is asymptomatic and does not cause immediate symptoms. Later on, a UTI can lead to the following symptoms such as:

-A strong, persistent urge to urinate
-A burning sensation when urinating
-Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
-Urine that appears cloudy
-Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored — a sign of blood in the urine
-Strong-smelling urine
-Pelvic pain, in women — especially in the center of the pelvis and around the area of the pubic bone

Source: Mayo Clinic

Additionally, an untreated UTI can lead to increased symptoms and potentially life-threatening health issues. Experts at the Mayo Clinic say that the following symptoms may re-occur or develop in patients with untreated urinary tract infections:

• Recurring infections, especially in women who experience two or more UTIs within six months. The same goes for women that had four UTIs within a year or two.
• Permanent kidney damage from an acute or chronic kidney infection (pyelonephritis) due to an untreated UTI.
• Increased risk in pregnant women of delivering low birth weight or premature infants.
• Urethral narrowing (stricture) in men from recurrent urethritis, previously seen with gonococcal urethritis.
• Sepsis, a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection, especially if the infection works its way up your urinary tract to your kidneys.

Can I Prevent a UTI?

Public health experts highly recommend that patients should try and prevent a UTI with a few at home remedies. These remedies include the following:

Drink plenty of liquids, especially water. Drinking water helps dilute your urine and ensures that you'll urinate more frequently — allowing bacteria to be flushed from your urinary tract before an infection can begin.
Drink cranberry juice. Although studies are not conclusive that cranberry juice prevents UTIs, it is likely not harmful.
Wipe from front to back. Doing so after urinating and after a bowel movement helps prevent bacteria in the anal region from spreading to the vagina and urethra.
Empty your bladder soon after intercourse. Also, drink a full glass of water to help flush bacteria.
Avoid potentially irritating feminine products. Using deodorant sprays or other feminine products, such as douches and powders, in the genital area can irritate the urethra.
Change your birth control method. Diaphragms, or unlubricated or spermicide-treated condoms, can all contribute to bacterial growth.

Source: Mayo Clinic

How can urgent care help treat my UTI?

In the event that you need UTI treatment, please don't hesitate to reach out to any of our AFC Urgent Care Denver locations! Our providers are skilled in acute care as well as treating sudden infections like UTIs and even STDs!

Additionally, our urgent care Leetsdale clinic is our latest location so that patients can treat any ongoing UTI and STI symptoms that they may have. No need for an appointment! Simply check-in online to get started for get treatment via our walk-in clinic!

UTIs don't have to be a hassle to treat if you take the time to visit urgent care, diagnose symptoms, and coordinate a treatment option.