A urinary tract infection (UTI) leads to painful urination and an increase in the urge to “go.” If you’re experiencing symptoms of a UTI or seem to get them regularly, contact Morteza Mirkarimi, MD and the exceptional team at The Doctors Office & Walk-In Clinic in the Clairemont neighborhood of San Diego, California. With on-site laboratory testing available, the doctor can make a diagnosis and get you started on treatment. You can book an appointment for a UTI online or by phone, or you can walk in for immediate care.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when bacterial invaders sneak into your urethra and bladder. Fungal or viral organisms are sometimes to blame, too. UTIs affect both women and men. But women get them more frequently because their urethra is shorter and close to the anus where bacteria often linger.
If you’re struggling with a UTI, you may be experiencing any of the following symptoms:
If your UTI progresses further up into your urinary tract and reaches your kidneys, the infection becomes more serious. In this case, you may also experience lower back pain, fever, and vomiting.
The Doctors Office & Walk-In Clinic has a laboratory on-site, so you won’t have to go anywhere else for your diagnostic needs. Diagnosing a urinary tract infection usually involves gathering a clean catch urine sample.
This type of urine sample is collected midstream, rather than from the beginning, which prevents contamination. The lab evaluates your urine sample and looks for an increased number of white blood cells, which can indicate an infection. They can also check for bacteria, fungi, or viruses.
Occasionally, a blood draw is necessary to check for other signs of infection and to rule out related issues. In most cases though, the doctor can diagnose you on the spot and get you started on treatment the same day.
The goal of your UTI treatment from The Doctors Office & Walk-In Clinic is to relieve your uncomfortable symptoms and treat your infection. For bacterial urinary tract infections, the doctor can prescribe antibiotics.
Recovering from a UTI might also require you to:
To help with pelvic discomfort, applying a heating pad may help. The doctor also counsels you about preventive measures. For instance, drinking 100% cranberry juice can help prevent certain types of bacterial UTIs from coming back in the future.
If you’re experiencing UTI symptoms, contact The Doctors Office & Walk-In Clinic for an exam. You can book an appointment online or by phone, or you can walk in to be seen right away.