Painful urination and the constant need to use the bathroom is often your first indication you have a urinary tract infection. At PrimeCare Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, you can receive on-site testing and a fast diagnosis, so you can start treatment quickly. Patrick Evivie, MD, FACP, RPVI; Hans Kwaku, MD, MPH, FACP; and Kim Neely, PA-C, MSPAS, create custom plans to resolve symptoms and prevent the spread of infection. If you suspect you have a urinary tract infection, call the office for an appointment or book one online.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a condition that can affect any part of your urinary tract, including:
While anyone is susceptible to a UTI, women are at greater risk due to the design of their bodies; bacteria only has to travel a short distance to access the urinary tract and cause an infection. It’s bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract, such as feces, that can cause a UTI.
You can also develop a bacterial infection through sexual activity.
You can have a urinary tract infection with or without symptoms. Depending on the area where the infection resides, you can experience symptoms like:
Women can also experience pelvic pain as the result of a urinary tract infection.
If your symptoms indicate the presence of infection in your urinary tract, Dr. Kwaku and Dr. Evivie can request a urine test. You need to provide a urine sample during your appointment, which they will evaluate for bacteria and/or concentrations of red and white blood cells.
If you have recurring UTIs, you will usually need further testing, such as an ultrasound or CT scan, to determine their cause.
After confirming a UTI, Dr. Evivie and Dr. Kwaku can prescribe a course of antibiotics to clear the infection. With antibiotic treatment, your symptoms should resolve in a few days. To ensure the infection clears completely, you need to take all provided medication, even if your symptoms disappear before you run out of medication.
For chronic infections, Dr. Kwaku and Dr. Evivie will recommend a long-term treatment plan using low-dose antibiotics.
If left untreated, a UTI can spread to other areas of your body and could damage your kidneys or bladder. Some people can also develop sepsis, a life-threatening condition where the infection spreads into the bloodstream.
Don’t ignore symptoms of a urinary tract infection. Schedule a consultation today at PrimeCare Medical Center by phone or book one online.
