Overview
A urinary tract infection typically presents with burning urination, urgency, frequency, and pelvic discomfort. In women with classic symptoms and no complications, empiric antibiotics without a culture are standard.
Symptoms to watch for
- Burning with urination
- Urgency — needing to go NOW
- Frequency of small amounts
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
- Pelvic pressure
- Blood in urine (visible or on dipstick)
What else could this be?
- Vaginitis (yeast, BV)
- Chlamydia or gonorrhea
- Interstitial cystitis
- Kidney stone
How it's diagnosed
Urine dip and/or culture. For uncomplicated female UTI, empiric treatment based on symptoms is standard.
Treatment
First-line: nitrofurantoin 5 days, fosfomycin 1 dose, or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) 3 days. Complicated UTI: fluoroquinolone or longer course.
When to book a visit
Book same-day — a video visit can prescribe antibiotics that reach your pharmacy in hours.
Book online todayFrequently asked
Do I need a urine test?
For a first uncomplicated UTI with classic symptoms, no — empiric treatment is standard. Recurrent, male, or complicated UTIs get cultured.