Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Treatment Questions and Answers

UTIs (Urinary Tract Infection) can cause pain and discomfort. This is why AFC Urgent Care offers treatment to help you get back to normal as soon as possible. If you suspect you have a urinary tract infection, call us today to speak to one of our specialists or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Memphis TN, Arlington TN, Atoka TN, Bartlett TN, Braden TN, Brighton TN and Burlison, TN.

If you feel a frequent need to use the washroom, even if it is painful, you could be dealing with a urinary tract infection! At AFC Urgent Care in Memphis, Tennessee, our medical experts have loads of experience in dealing with UTIs and are committed to providing compassionate and expert care to every patient that walks through our doors.

What is a Urinary Tract Infection?

Urinary tract infections occur when harmful bacteria or viral strains infect any organ in your urinary tract system, such as your bladder (cystitis), kidneys (acute pyelonephritis), urethra (urethritis), or ureters. The most common cause of UTIs is when Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria infect the bladder. Harmful bacteria like E. coli can enter the urinary tract system during sexual activity, due to unsanitary hygiene practices, from certain types of birth control and feminine products, when using a catheter, or when surgery is performed on the urinary system. Women are more at risk than men of acquiring a UTI because they have a shorter urethra, which means that the bacteria have less distance to travel to reach the bladder.

Where do I go if I have a UTI?

While there are several places you can go to get treated for a urinary tract infection, there are certain times and situations when one place may be more beneficial than the other! With that in mind, emergency rooms, primary care clinics, urgent care clinics, and walk-in clinics generally provide UTI treatment.

That said, emergency rooms should only be a viable option for UTI treatment if your symptoms are life-threatening or you need urgent help in the middle of the night. Emergency rooms are obligated to prioritize patients according to the severity of their condition. Consequently, if your UTI is not critical or life-threatening, you may end up spending long hours in the waiting room before you are able to see a physician.

On the flip side, while primary care clinics can provide familiarity, they do not always accept same-day appointments. As such, if you are experiencing painful UTI symptoms, you may not want to wait for the next available appointment!

In that light, an urgent care or walk-in clinic can be an excellent choice for UTI treatment! Urgent care clinics accept walk-in appointments and will also save you time and money when compared with emergency room services. Since urgent care clinics cannot treat life-threatening medical emergencies, it frees them up to see patients on a first-come, first-serve basis, which significantly reduces the amount of time patients spend in the waiting room.

Do I need antibiotics to get rid of a UTI?

Since bacterial infections are the most common cause of urinary tract infections, antibiotics are also the most common treatment option for UTIs. However, some mild UTIs can go away without the use of antibiotics. Our board-certified physicians at AFC Urgent Care in Memphis, TN, can evaluate your UTI symptoms and let you know if antibiotics are required or if the infection will resolve itself with over-the-counter (OTC) medication.

Should I go see my Primary Care Doctor or to an Urgent Care for a UTI?

While primary care doctors provide significant familiarity and consistent care, sometimes the pain and discomfort from a urinary tract infection just cannot wait for the next available appointment. If you are in this situation, you would likely benefit more from visiting an urgent care clinic for a walk-in appointment. At AFC Urgent Care in Memphis, TN, we would be happy to see you and provide effective and efficient UTI treatment.

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, our medical experts would be happy to provide first-rate treatment to you at AFC Urgent Care in Memphis, Tennessee.