Urinary tract & bladder infection treatment

A MinuteClinic provider can assess your symptoms and discuss treatment options to relieve your urinary tract or bladder infection. If needed, they can prescribe medication.

1. Prior to scheduling your appointment, you may have to answer a few questions to help us prepare for your visit.

2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment.

If you made your appointment online:

Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.



If you made your appointment in the clinic:

Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.

4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.

5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, a receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

Certain symptoms can indicate a UTI, but tests may be done to confirm infection and determine what kind of bacteria are causing the infection. To aid in a diagnosis, a urinalysis test may be run. A MinuteClinic provider examines a sample of your urine during this lab test. They look for red blood cells, white blood cells, bacteria and other substances. They also check the color of the urine and note whether it's cloudy or clear. If the sample has findings consistent with potential bacteria, it may be sent off to the lab for a urine culture. If this step is needed, this can help identify an infection and, if so, identify organisms potentially causing the infection. Identifying the correct organism helps decide the best way to treat the UTI.

In general, a urine test is all that’s needed. A MinuteClinic provider can assess and provide next steps of care and treatment options if you have a UTI or bladder infection.

Most urinary tract infections and bladder infections are caused by bacteria. Most of the time, the infection starts in the bladder and then may spread to include other parts of the urinary tract.

Some conditions increase your risk of developing a urinary tract or bladder infection. These include:

• Bowel incontinence (trouble holding stool)
• Diabetes
• Diaphragm use
• Enlarged prostate (men only)
• Having a urinary catheter in place
• Kidney stones
• Menopause
• Narrowed urethra
• Pregnancy
• Problems that make it hard to empty your bladder completely
• Sexual activity
• Surgery or procedure on the urinary tract

Women have a higher risk of developing urinary tract infections than men do. This is because the female urethra is shorter than the male urethra. That makes it easier for bacteria to get into the bladder. Some changes during menopause also increase the risk for UTIs in women. More risk factors include frequent sexual activity and birth control methods using spermicide. Diaphragms have also been linked to an increased risk of UTI. Some situations make it difficult to wipe well after using the bathroom. This includes special needs of some older adults, such as loss of balance or some incapacitation of movement, Alzheimer's disease, dementia and other health conditions. People in those groups should be screened when they have UTI symptoms.

The major symptom of a UTI is a burning or painful sensation when you urinate. Other common symptoms include:

• Cloudy, foul-smelling and/or bloody urine
• Pressure or cramping in your lower stomach or back
• A strong need to urinate often (even right after you have gone to the bathroom)

If the infection spreads to your kidneys, you may experience:

• Chills
• Confusion
• Fatigue
• High fever
• Nausea
• Pain in your side, back or groin
• Severe stomach pain
• Vomiting

You can take some steps to manage your symptoms:

• Increase your fluid intake
• Take appropriate over-the-counter medications
• Avoid bladder irritants such as certain types of food and drink or tobacco products

Treatment options may vary. Your age, sex and personal health history can help choose the treatment. The right treatment also depends on the severity of your symptoms.

UTIs are typically treated with the following methods:

• Oral antibiotics: Antibiotics can kill the bacteria that cause a urinary tract infection. Your provider may prescribe antibiotics depending on which organism is causing your UTI.
• Intravenous (IV) antibiotics: IV antibiotics may be used to treat severe UTIs.

Treatment for a urinary tract or bladder infection is usually started immediately, even though the results of some urine tests can take a few days to come back. Treatment is started using common prescription antibiotics that treat most bacteria. If your urine culture shows that you have a different bacterium than the typical and you need a different antibiotic, your MinuteClinic® provider will contact you with a new prescription.

Most urinary tract and bladder infections are straightforward to diagnose and treat. Situations that can make UTIs more difficult to treat and may result in your being referred to a different health care setting include:

• Male genitalia
• Pregnancy
• Recent kidney infection in the last three months
• Severe vomiting

Prescription antibiotics are the primary treatment for urinary tract and bladder infections, but they take time to work. If you are experiencing severe discomfort from your infection, talk to your MinuteClinic provider about medicines that can reduce pain and make you more comfortable while your infection clears up.

Your MinuteClinic provider can also give you tips for preventing a urinary tract or bladder infection in the future, such as:

• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Emptying bladder as soon as you have the urge
• Urinating after sexual activity
• Washing and keeping your genital area clean

If a urinary tract infection is left untreated, there is a risk of:

• Sepsis: A life-threatening infection that may cause organ failure
• Kidney damage: Permanent damage to the organs that filter your blood
• Repeated UTIs: Two or more UTIs within a six-month period