Urinary Tract Infection
-
- Tweet
SmartClinic Urgent Care
Urgent Care located in West Covina, CA & Santa Clarita, Canyon Country, CA
A urinary tract infection can threaten your health and bring serious risks and complications, such as sepsis, urethritis, and permanent kidney damage. At Smart Clinic Urgent Care in West Covina and Santa Clarita, California, the highly qualified medical team offers valuable testing and treatment methods to protect the health of your urinary system, give you symptom relief, and treat your infection. Walk-in or call Smart Clinic Urgent Care
Urinary Tract Infection Q & A
What is a urinary tract infection?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) refers to an infection that can happen in any area of your urinary system, including your kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. In most cases, UTIs are in the urethra and bladder.
What are the symptoms of a UTI?
You might not experience any symptoms of a UTI, but it’s common to have symptoms that include:
- Burning sensation when urinating
- Cloudy urine
- More frequent urge to urinate
- Urine with a strong odor
- Pelvic pain (in women)
You might notice red or discolored urine. This might be a sign of blood in your urine.
What complications can happen with a urinary tract infection?
In some cases, without proper treatment, a UTI can lead to certain complications, especially if the infection spreads to your kidneys. Some of the possible complications include:
- Permanent kidney damage
- An inflamed and narrowed urethra (urethritis)
- Sepsis
- Frequent infections
A UTI can also prompt your immune system to release certain chemicals that cause systemic inflammation throughout your body.
What causes a urinary tract infection?
When your body’s innate defense system fails, bacteria can infect and reside in your urinary tract, typically in your bladder.
A bladder infection is often the result of Escherichia coli (E. coli) — a bacterium found in the gastrointestinal tract. In some cases, a urethral infection occurs when gastrointestinal bacterium travels from the anus to the urethra. Other reasons you may develop a UTI include:
Genetic abnormalities
Some urinary tract abnormalities are genetic and cause a back-up of urine in the urethra and a heightened risk of developing a UTI.
Sexual intercourse
You can contract a UTI through sexual intercourse. Some methods of birth control, such as diaphragms, can also increase your risk of contracting a UTI.
Hormonal imbalance
Hormone imbalance and decreased estrogen production that often occurs with women following menopause can make the urinary tract more prone to infection.
Suppressed immune system
When you have a suppressed immune system, your body’s defense system is weakened against infections, making you more likely to get a UTI.
How are urinary tract infections treated?
Smart Clinic Urgent Care provides same-day evaluations and treatment for a range of infections, including urinary tract infections.
Some of the available treatments for UTIs include medications, such as antibiotics (fosfomycin and trimethoprim), antivirals, pain-relievers, and anti-inflammatories.
Your Smart Clinic Urgent Care provider also gives you helpful information on how you can improve your general health and lifestyle and strengthen your immune system.
Fight back against urinary tract infections with high-quality support from Smart Clinic Urgent Care. Call, click, or simply walk-in to your nearest office today.
