A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the urinary system. UTIs cause symptoms like discomfort, painful urination, and frequent urge to urinate. Around 90% of all UTIs are caused by E. Coli bacteria. However, other species of bacteria - as well as viruses and fungi - can cause these infections.

UTIs often start in the lower urinary tract (your bladder and urethra). A UTI in your urethra is called urethritis, and a UTI that originates or spreads to your bladder is called cystitis.

Some UTIs can begin in the upper urinary tract (your kidneys and ureters). While this is rare, kidney infections (pyelonephritis), can be life-threatening if left untreated.

UTIs are caused by bacteria that enter your urinary tract and start to multiply. This can happen for a range of reasons: sexual activity, wiping from back to front, not fully emptying the bladder, and more. In other words, anything that blocks urine flow, irritates the urinary tract, or alters the normal balance of bacteria can increase your risk of getting one.

Some people are also more prone to UTIs due to anatomy, hormones, or certain medical conditions. For example, women are more likely to get UTIs than men because their urethras tend to be shorter and located in closer proximity to the anus, where E.coli is found.

You can get antibiotics for a UTI during an online telehealth appointment on platforms like Sesame. During these video visits, a licensed provider can review your symptoms and prescribe a course of antibiotics if appropriate. Your prescription can then be delivered to your home or picked up the same day at your local pharmacy.

Common UTI antibiotics that can prescribed online includenitrofurantoin (Macrobid), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim), cephalexin (Keflex), and Ciprofloxacin (Cipro).

Antibiotics, the most common type of UTI treatment, can sometimes cause mild to moderate side effects. The exact side effects will depend on the specific antibiotic that you’re taking, but common ones include:

• Digestive issues (nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea, or loss of appetite)
• Headache or dizziness
• Vaginal yeast infections due to changes in natural bacterial balance)
• Mild skin rash or itching

In rare cases, more serious side effects can occur, such as allergic reactions (swelling, rash, difficulty breathing). It’s important to take your full course of antibiotics exactly as prescribed and tell your healthcare provider if you experience any severe or persistent side effects.

If you suspect a urinary tract infection (UTI), there are several steps you can take at home to help relieve discomfort and potentially prevent it from worsening before seeing a doctor:

• Stay well hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help flush bacteria out of your urinary tract.
• Use heat for relief: A heating pad on your lower abdomen or back can help ease pain or cramping.
• Avoid irritants: Skip caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, and artificial sweeteners, which can irritate your bladder.
• Use over-the-counter relief: Products like phenazopyridine (Azo, Uristat) can temporarily relieve burning and urgency, but they don’t treat the infection itself.

Cranberry juice can’t cure an active UTI. However, cranberries contain chemicals called proanthocyanidins (PACs) that help prevent bacteria, especially E. coli, from sticking to the urinary tract, and some studies have found that drinking cranberry juice can benefit women who suffer from recurrent UTIs.

So while drinking unsweetened cranberry juice won’t help your UTI, it may help prevent one in the future, and it won't make your UTI any worse.

If you aren’t sure which type of UTI you have, your medical history and your doctor’s evaluation can help determine whether it’s uncomplicated or complicated.

Most urinary tract infections are uncomplicated UTIs. These usually occur in otherwise healthy people who don’t have any underlying conditions affecting their urinary system. They tend to come on suddenly and improve quickly with proper treatment.

A complicated UTI, on the other hand, happens when something makes the infection more difficult to treat or more likely to come back. A UTI may be considered complicated if:

• You get frequent or recurrent infections
• There is a blockage or narrowing in the urinary tract (such as a kidney stone or enlarged prostate)
• You have a urinary catheter, urinary retention, or difficulty emptying your bladder
• You have certain medical conditions that affect the urinary tract or immune system (e.g., diabetes, kidney problems)

If you’re suffering from recurrent UTIs (UTIs that keep coming back), your doctor may recommend tests to look for an underlying cause. One common test is a cystoscopy, which lets the doctor look inside the bladder to check for inflammation, blockage, or structural issues that might be contributing to repeated infections.

It depends. If you’re taking antibiotics for an uncomplicated UTI, you may be able to flush out a UTI and see symptom relief within 24-48 hours. However, it usually takes between three to five days for symptoms to fully subside.

People who have complicated UTIs (often caused by pregnancy or other longer-lasting urinary system blockages) may have to wait six to eight days before their symptoms clear up entirely.

Anyone can get a UTI, but some groups of people have a higher risk. These groups include:

• Pregnant women: Pregnant women are at a greater risk of developing complicated or serious UTIs, largely due to the hormonal changes of pregnancy.
• Post-menopausal women: Lower estrogen levels, higher vaginal pH levels, and a decline in antimicrobial bacterial (the good kind, that is) can cause post-menopausal women to a higher risk of developing a UTI, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
• Infants: Infants are at higher risk of UTI, especially when they have dirty diapers or are improperly wiped from back to front. Good hydration and hygiene can help prevent urogenital infections in infants.
• People with enlarged prostates: Larger than normal prostate can block flow out of the bladder, which can increase the risk of a UTI.
• People with chronic conditions: Those with conditions like diabetes are more likely to contract UTIs.
• People who are immunocompromised: This includes patients with HIV/AIDS, also experience an increased risk of UTI.