Urinary infections: what to watch for and what to do

Half of women will get a urinary tract infection (UTI) at some point. Men get them less often, but when they do it’s usually a sign something else is going on. UTIs range from a simple bladder infection that’s easy to treat to a serious kidney infection that needs urgent care. Knowing the signs and the right next steps matters.

Typical symptoms are a strong, sudden urge to pee, burning during urination, cloudy or strong-smelling urine, and feeling like your bladder isn’t empty. If you have fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, or pain in your back or side (flank), that can mean the infection reached the kidneys and you should see a doctor fast.

How doctors check for a UTI

Most clinics start with a urine dipstick or microscope test. Those tests look for bacteria, white blood cells, and blood. If you have recurrent infections or a complicated case, your doctor will order a urine culture to find the exact bug and the best antibiotic. Imaging or specialist tests are rarely needed unless infections keep coming back, there’s severe pain, or you have abnormal anatomy.

Common treatments and what to know

Uncomplicated bladder infections often clear with short antibiotic courses—three to five days is common depending on the drug. Nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole are standard choices in many places. Fluoroquinolones (like levofloxacin) treat many UTIs too, but doctors avoid them when possible because of resistance and side effects. If culture results come back, the antibiotic may change to one that the bacteria are proven sensitive to.

Never use leftover antibiotics or someone else’s prescription. Stopping antibiotics early or using the wrong one increases resistance and can make the next infection worse. If symptoms don’t improve in 48–72 hours after starting therapy, call your provider.

For kidney infections you usually need a longer course of antibiotics and sometimes IV treatment. Pregnant people, men with a UTI, people with catheters, or anyone with repeated infections should get a proper workup and tailored treatment plan.

Simple prevention helps. Drink enough water, urinate after sex, avoid irritating feminine products and spermicides, wipe front to back, and manage blood sugar if you have diabetes. For women with frequent postcoital UTIs, a single low-dose antibiotic after sex or low-dose daily prophylaxis can help—ask your doctor. Postmenopausal women may benefit from topical vaginal estrogen.

If you’re thinking of buying antibiotics online, be cautious. Use licensed pharmacies and follow your prescriber's directions. For more on specific drugs and safe online buying, check our Levoquin guide and the pages about buying meds online on PharmaRight. Got persistent symptoms or a high fever? See a clinician—don’t wait.