How do you know you have a uti

If you’ve ever had a urinary tract infection – and if you’re a woman, chances are you have – you know they’re not fun. UTIs can make you feel an increased urge to urinate combined with a burning sensation. These symptoms tend to reappear throughout the day and can be extremely uncomfortable.

get the facts on UTIs.

Dr. Vontrelle Roundtree, MDLIVE Interim Chief Medical Officer, shares her advice on how to be prepared when symptoms strike, what causes UTIs, and effective treatment options.

what causes a UTI?

According to the Mayo Clinic, urinary tract infections typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra. Your urinary system should keep these bacteria out, but sometimes, microscopic invaders, like E. coli, can enter your GI tract, which can then cause a urinary tract infection. But remember, when diagnosing a UTI, there are a lot of different variables to consider.

How do you know you have a uti

common symptoms of a UTI include

  • How do you know you have a uti

    Pain or burning sensation when you urinate

  • How do you know you have a uti

    Fever, tiredness, or shakiness

  • How do you know you have a uti

    An urge to urinate often

  • How do you know you have a uti

    Pressure in the lower belly

  • How do you know you have a uti

    Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy or reddish

  • How do you know you have a uti

    Pain in your back or side below the ribs

Knowing the symptoms of a urinary tract infection is essential, but there are many variables to consider when diagnosing a UTI.

Dr. Roundtree’s perspective

“To help ensure an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan, it’s important to give your MDLIVE doctor as much information as possible. Urinary tract infections can be complicated by diabetes and other conditions that contribute to a suppressed immune system. Properly diagnosing a UTI can be challenging in pediatric patients or elderly patients with multiple complex health issues. UTI symptoms can also be confused with sexually-transmitted diseases as well. The more your doctor knows, the quicker you can receive the proper care.”

what can the color of your pee mean?


How do you know you have a uti

Source: Mayo Clinic

what treatments are available for a UTI?

The most common treatment for a UTI is a course of antibiotics. After a few days of treatment, your symptoms should dissipate. If they don’t, and you’re still experiencing pain in your bladder, your doctor may also prescribe a pain medication to numb your bladder and urethra to relieve burning while urinating.

how can you get help without going to a doctor’s office?

In the past, getting treatment for a UTI meant a trip to the doctor’s office and suffering through your symptoms until your appointment. Now, if you’re a female 18+, you can talk to a doctor by phone or video — wherever you are — in as little as 15 minutes.1 And, your doctor can order a prescription, if needed, to your preferred pharmacy.2 MDLIVE is a more convenient and affordable choice to get the treatment you need to feel better faster.3

Dr. Roundtree’s perspective

“In most UTI cases – healthy women between the ages of 18 and 65 with symptoms of a UTI and no complications – it’s reasonable to initiate treatment and forgo the substantial cost and inconvenience of testing, and the subsequent delay in treatment. But if your doctor sees anything complicated in your symptoms, it makes sense to perform a urinalysis, culture, and possibly other laboratory tests.”

follow-up care is essential.

Most UTI patients see improvement within a few days of beginning treatment, but that’s not always the case. Symptoms don’t always completely clear up within the average of three to five days, making follow-up care a must.

Dr. Roundtree’s perspective

“We find that about 90% of UTI cases are significantly improved, or even cured within 3-5 days. If you don’t see substantial improvement within this time frame, we recommend following up with your regular doctor for a urinalysis and further investigation.”

preventive measures that work.

Urinary tract infections tend to reoccur, but there are some steps you can take to prevent them. Emptying your bladder immediately after sexual intercourse and staying hydrated are two effective ways to prevent a UTI.

Dr. Roundtree’s perspective

“If you have a UTI, drinking plenty of water helps flush out bacteria and accelerate healing. You might also try cranberry tablets, which can help you avoid getting a UTI in the first place.”

If you’re a female 18+ who’s suffering from a UTI, talk to an MDLIVE doctor in minutes to relieve UTI pain quickly and easily.* Click here to get the care you need from the comfort and safety of home.

How do I check myself for a UTI?

You can buy a home urinary tract infection (UTI) test kit. They are available without a prescription at a drugstore or online. The home test kit contains specially treated test strips. You hold them in your urine stream or dip them in a sample of your urine.

Can a UTI go away on its own?

Yes, a UTI could go away on its own, but some infections are different than others,” he says. “And if left untreated, it may linger longer.” UTIs are classified into two main categories: uncomplicated, also known as cystitis; and complicated, which may be catheter-associated or happen during pregnancy.

What causes UTI in female?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are usually caused by bacteria from poo entering the urinary tract. The bacteria enter through the tube that carries pee out of the body (urethra). Women have a shorter urethra than men. This means bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys and cause an infection.

What are the main causes of UTI?

A UTI develops when microbes enter the urinary tract and cause infection. Bacteria are the most common cause of UTIs, although fungi rarely can also infect the urinary tract. E. coli bacteria, which live in the bowel, cause most UTIs.