The Best Place for Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)

Urinary tract infections can be serious. Most often occurring in women, a urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection anywhere along the urinary tract, including the bladder. When more bacteria get into the opening of the urethra (where urine leaves the body), then the urine can naturally flush away, a UTI can develop and even lead to other types of infection. 

The Urgency Room is your comprehensive one-stop location for your urgent care needs. Our standalone facilities are expertly outfitted with emergency trained providers and state-of-the-art equipment to handle the variety of aches, pains, breaks and illnesses that come through our doors every day.

Visit Us Online or In-Person 

If you suspect you have a UTI you can complete an online visit today, skip the waiting room! They will review your symptoms and available testing and treatment options. If further testing is necessary, you will be instructed to visit our clinic for testing. Your virtual clinician will notify us you are coming and we'll be waiting for you. It's that easy. Just follow the instructions on our Online Care page.

The Urgency Room is located in Eagan, Vadnais Heights and Woodbury and we are ready to tackle your urgent medical needs without an appointment. You can find our estimated wait times online.

Is Telehealth for a UTI Covered by Insurance?

Many insurance plans cover telehealth video visits and online medical care. But you should still check with your insurance provider to be sure.

What Is a Urinary Tract Infection? 

Bacteria are naturally flushed from your urethra when you urinate. However, if there are too many or if bacteria have traveled too far up the urethra into the bladder, you could develop a UTI. Ninety percent of UTIs are caused by Escherichia coli, better known as E. coli. E. coli bacteria live in the colon and around the anus. 

Women are more likely to develop a UTI because of the proximity of the urethra to the anus. Because of this increased likelihood of developing a UTI, wiping from front to back (urethra to anus) is emphasized to deter bringing bacteria from the colon toward the urethra. 

Aside from improper wiping, sexual intercourse is the other common cause of urinary tract infections. UTIs aren’t contagious. However a simple bladder infection can progress to a more serious kidney infection, so they should still be treated as soon as possible.

What Are the Symptoms of a UTI? 

The symptoms of a urinary tract infection may be subtle or very apparent. If you fear you have a UTI, keep on the lookout for the following symptoms:

• Fever 
• A burning sensation or pain while urinating 
• Bloody or cloudy urine 
• Urine that smells unusual 
• Frequent urge to go to the bathroom 
• Pain in your lower back or abdomen
• Increased frequency of urination 

All of these can be signs that you have contracted a UTI. If you feel like one or many of these symptoms apply to you, head to your nearest Urgency Room. You’ll be asked to provide a urine sample for testing so our physicians can accurately determine what is causing your pain or discomfort.

Some female patients may wonder about discharge as a UTI symptom. Note that UTI discharge isn’t common, if you’re experiencing discharge it’s possible you have developed a yeast infection.

How Do You Know When a UTI Is Serious?

All UTIs should be treated seriously. But when a UTI has evolved into a worsened state, you will likely experience fever and chills, discolored urine, extreme burning sensation when urinating, and even vomiting.

What Happens if a UTI Goes Untreated?

Symptoms such as a fever or chills or back pain could indicate that the infection has traveled further, potentially into the kidneys. Once in the kidneys, the infection could cause pyelonephritis. Left untreated, pyelonephritis can cause kidney damage, blood poisoning, severe infections, and problems for pregnant women.

How Can I Prevent or Treat a UTI? 

While it may be difficult to prevent a UTI in some instances, there are precautions you can take to decrease your risk of getting one. If you are a woman, practice proper wiping habits: 

• Always wipe front to back to eliminate spreading bacteria from your anus to your urethra
• Be safe when having sexual intercourse
• Never put something near your urethra that has been in or around your anus 
• Avoid feminine products that cause irritation
• Stay hydrated

You may be at increased risk for acquiring a UTI if you have an obstruction in your urinary tract (such as a kidney stone), have a medical condition that prevents you from fully emptying your bladder, are sexually active, have an enlarged prostate or if you use a diaphragm for birth control. Children are also at an increased risk due to improper wiping and poor hand-washing habits.

UTI Treatment

Get to your nearest Urgency Room the same day you start recognizing symptoms of a urinary tract infection. You’ll be seen in a fraction of the time than if you went to your average emergency room and assessed by some of the best physicians and emergency providers in the Twin Cities. After assessing and diagnosing your UTI, your Urgency Room physician or provider will tell you how to best treat your infection. 

Often, antibiotics are prescribed. Remember to complete your antibiotic regime even if you believe the infection cleared before the medication has been used in its entirety. When you’re at home, check out our extensive video library featuring aftercare videos discussing how to further relieve your UTI.

Tips for UTI Pain Relief 

Taking pain relief drugs, such as ibuprofen, or using a heating pad on your abdomen could also relieve any pain you continue feeling before the infection has cleared. Altering your diet for a few days could also help: Increase your water intake and cut out caffeine, alcohol or spicy foods, all of which can irritate your bladder. 

The duration of antibiotic treatment will vary depending on which antibiotic is right for you and the severity of your urinary infection. Your provider may also recommend a medication to decrease bladder irritation called Pyridium.

The Urgency Room Is Waiting for You 

Don’t let your symptoms worsen. If you think you’re experiencing symptoms of a mild to severe urinary tract infection, try a Telehealth video visit or come to your nearest Urgency Room! With extended hours and convenient locations in Eagan, Vadnais Heights and Woodbury, our accessibility is excellent. 

The Urgency Room can help you avoid the crowds and long waits of typical emergency rooms. Our facilities are owned and operated by members of the Emergency Physicians Professional Association. Our board-certified physicians and staff are here for you when you need medical care the most. We’ll always provide you with exceptional medical care closer to home.