What Is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)? Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

UTIs are one of the most common infections we see at Clinica Cabrera. They can be uncomfortable and sometimes scary, but with the right care they are usually easy to treat and prevent. This guide walks you through what a urinary tract infection is, common symptoms, causes, treatments, and when to seek medical help.

Table of Contents

1. What is a urinary tract infection (UTI)?
2. Who can get a UTI?
3. Common symptoms of a UTI
4. When to see a doctor or go to urgent care
5. What causes a UTI?
6. How UTIs are diagnosed at Clinica Cabrera
7. Treatment options for UTIs
8. Everyday tips to help prevent UTIs
9. Signs your UTI may be more serious
10. How Clinica Cabrera can help

1. What is a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

Your urinary tract includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Its job is to make urine and remove it from your body. A urinary tract infection (UTI) happens when germs, usually bacteria, get into this system and start to grow.

Most UTIs are bladder infections, also called cystitis. These usually cause burning when you pee and a strong urge to go to the bathroom. If the infection travels up to the kidneys, it can become more serious and may cause fever, back pain, and feeling very unwell.

2. Who can get a UTI?

Anyone can get a UTI, including children, men, and older adults. However, UTIs are especially common in women because the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) is shorter and closer to the anus, making it easier for bacteria to enter the bladder.

Your risk can be higher if you are sexually active, pregnant, have gone through menopause, use certain types of birth control, or have conditions like diabetes or kidney stones. Some people also get recurrent UTIs, meaning they have infections several times a year.

3. Common symptoms of a UTI

UTI symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people feel very uncomfortable, while others notice only mild changes. Common signs include:

• A burning or stinging feeling when you urinate
• Needing to pee more often than usual
• Feeling a strong, sudden urge to pee, even when little comes out
• Cloudy, strong-smelling, or dark urine
• Blood in the urine (pink, red, or cola-colored)
• Pelvic discomfort or pressure in the lower abdomen

Older adults may have more subtle symptoms, such as weakness or confusion, instead of typical burning or pain. If you notice changes that worry you, it is always better to get checked.

4. When to see a doctor or go to urgent care

You should schedule an appointment if you have UTI symptoms that last more than a day or two, especially burning with urination, urgency, or changes in your urine.

Seek urgent or same-day care if you:

• Have fever or chills along with UTI symptoms
• Feel pain in your side or back, below the ribs
• Are pregnant and think you may have a UTI
• Have diabetes, kidney problems, or a weak immune system
• Notice blood in your urine

These can be signs that the infection is moving toward your kidneys or becoming more serious, and you should be seen quickly.

5. What causes a UTI?

Most UTIs are caused by bacteria that normally live in the gut. These bacteria can travel from the anus to the urethra and into the bladder. Things that can make this more likely include:

• Wiping from back to front instead of front to back
• Sexual activity, which can push bacteria toward the urethra
• Holding urine for long periods
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Using irritating products in the genital area, such as certain sprays, powders, or perfumed soaps
• Changes in hormones, especially after menopause

Sometimes, UTIs can be linked to structural issues in the urinary tract, kidney stones, or urinary catheters. Your provider will decide whether any additional testing is needed based on your history and symptoms.

6. How UTIs are diagnosed at Clinica Cabrera

At Clinica Cabrera, your visit starts with a careful conversation about your symptoms, medical history, and medications. Your provider will ask when your symptoms began, how they feel, and whether you have had UTIs in the past.

In most cases, you will be asked to provide a urine sample. This allows us to:

• Check for signs of infection, such as white blood cells, blood, or bacteria
• Sometimes send a urine culture to the lab to identify the exact bacteria and which antibiotics will work best

These simple tests help confirm the diagnosis and guide safe, effective treatment for you.

7. Treatment options for UTIs

The main treatment for a UTI is antibiotics, which your provider will choose based on your symptoms, health history, and any test results. It is very important to take the medication exactly as prescribed and to finish the full course, even if you start feeling better.

Your provider may also recommend:

• Drinking extra fluids (unless you have been told to limit fluids for another health condition)
• Using over-the-counter pain relief, when appropriate
• A heating pad on the lower abdomen or back for comfort

If you have recurrent UTIs, we may discuss longer-term strategies, such as preventive medication, vaginal estrogen for post-menopausal women, or lifestyle changes that can lower your risk.

8. Everyday tips to help prevent UTIs

Small daily habits can make a big difference in reducing UTIs. Helpful prevention tips include:

• Drink enough water throughout the day to keep your urine a light yellow color
• Do not hold your urine for long periods; go when you feel the urge
• Wipe from front to back after using the bathroom
• Urinate soon after sexual activity to help flush out bacteria
• Avoid harsh or perfumed products in the genital area
• Wear breathable cotton underwear and avoid very tight clothing in the crotch area

For some people, your provider may also discuss cranberry products, probiotics, or other options. These are usually considered add-ons, not replacements for medical care when you have an active infection.

9. Signs your UTI may be more serious

While many UTIs are simple and clear up quickly with treatment, some infections can become more serious and require urgent or emergency care. Contact a medical provider or go to urgent care right away if you notice:

• High fever, chills, or feeling very ill
• Sharp pain in your side, back, or under the ribs
• Nausea or vomiting along with UTI symptoms
• Confusion, dizziness, or weakness, especially in older adults

These symptoms may mean the infection is affecting your kidneys or spreading in your body, and you should not wait to seek care.

10. How Clinica Cabrera can help

At Clinica Cabrera, led by Michelle Cabrera, our goal is to make it easy and comfortable for you to talk about urinary symptoms and get the care you need. UTIs are common, and you should never feel embarrassed to ask questions or share what you are experiencing.

We offer personalized evaluation, on-site testing, and treatment plans that fit your health history and lifestyle. Whether this is your first UTI or you have had several, our team will work with you to treat the infection and help reduce your risk of future episodes.

If you think you might have a urinary tract infection, do not wait. Contact Clinica Cabrera to schedule an appointment so we can help you feel better and protect your urinary health.