UTI Symptoms and Bladder Infection Treatment: When to Get Seen
The symptoms of a UTI in women, men, children and older adults, how bladder infection treatment works, and when a UTI can't wait.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) usually shows up as burning when you pee, needing to go often and urgently, and pressure low in your belly. Most are bladder infections caused by bacteria, and they're treated after a clinician confirms what's going on, often with a quick urine test. A UTI shouldn't be left to get worse, because it can spread to the kidneys.
What is a UTI?
A UTI is an infection anywhere in the urinary tract: the urethra, bladder, ureters or kidneys. The most common kind is a bladder infection (cystitis), which happens when bacteria travel up the urethra into the bladder. Women get UTIs far more often than men because the urethra is shorter, but anyone can get one.
UTI symptoms
- Burning or pain when you urinate
- Needing to go often, sometimes passing only a little
- A sudden, strong urge to go
- Pressure or cramping in the lower belly
- Cloudy, strong-smelling or pink, red or brown urine
UTI symptoms in men
Men have the same core symptoms: burning, urgency, going often, and sometimes blood in the urine. Men may also notice pain in the area between the scrotum and rectum, or trouble starting a stream. Because a UTI in a man is less common, it's more likely to have an underlying cause, such as an enlarged prostate or a prostate infection, so men should be seen in person rather than treating it as routine.
In children and older adults
Young children often can't describe burning. Watch for fever with no other obvious cause, new accidents after being potty trained, crying when urinating, or foul-smelling urine. In older adults, a UTI can show up as new confusion, weakness or falls, sometimes with few urinary symptoms at all.
Is it a UTI or something else?
Burning when you pee can also come from a sexually transmitted infection, a yeast infection or irritation. If there's any chance of an STI, it's worth testing at the same visit. Our STI testing page explains how that works.
Bladder infection treatment
A bacterial UTI usually needs a prescription; it isn't something to wait out. At a visit, a clinician asks about your symptoms and may test a urine sample in the clinic, and sometimes sends it for a culture to see which bacteria are growing. If an antibiotic is appropriate, they'll choose one with your allergies and health history in mind. They may also suggest medicine to ease the burning for a day or two.
While you're being treated:
- Drink plenty of water
- Don't hold your urine; go when you need to
- Finish the medicine as prescribed, even once you feel better
- Come back or follow up if you're not improving within a couple of days
Cranberry products aren't a treatment for an active infection. If you get UTIs often, talk with a clinician about prevention.
Can a UTI be treated by telehealth?
Often, yes, for women with typical, uncomplicated symptoms. A telehealth video visit with an AfterOurs clinician is $75 self-pay, available 8 AM to 11 PM daily, and if the clinician needs a urine test or an exam, they'll tell you. Men, children, anyone who's pregnant, and anyone with fever, back pain or repeated UTIs should come into a clinic.
When to get seen
Get seen the same day for UTI symptoms, and sooner if you're pregnant, have diabetes, a weakened immune system or kidney problems, or if it's a child. In the clinic, a standard self-pay visit is $175, and a self-pay in-clinic visit never costs more than $330. We contract with all major commercial and government plans, including Colorado Medicaid and Medicare. We can't guarantee a particular commercial plan has us in network; if it's out of network or denies the visit, we drop you to the self-pay rates. See our UTI page and the cost and insurance page.
Call 911 or go to the ER if you have a high fever with shaking chills, severe pain in your back or side, vomiting and can't keep fluids down, or new confusion, especially in an older adult. These can be signs the infection has reached the kidneys or the bloodstream.
Where to find us
Four clinics across metro Denver, all ages welcome, se habla español:
- Hampden (Southeast Denver): 8 AM–11 PM daily
- Littleton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
- Thornton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
- Highlands: Mon–Fri 5–11 PM, Sat–Sun 8 AM–11 PM
Walk in, or book online.
Medically reviewed by Peter Martinuzzi, MD
This article is general health information, not medical advice for your situation. If you are worried, come in or book a telehealth visit — and if it is an emergency, call 911.