How is urinary tract infection treated?

A clinician may ask about burning, urinary urgency, frequency, lower abdominal discomfort, blood or cloudy urine. A urine test may help decide whether antibiotics are appropriate and which treatment fits your situation. Infection involving the kidneys can cause fever, chills, back or side pain and needs more urgent assessment. Other causes of urinary symptoms can resemble a UTI, so avoid using leftover antibiotics.

Arrange a medical review if symptoms are new, persistent or recurrent. Drink fluids regularly unless a clinician has told you to restrict them, and take prescribed medicine exactly as directed. Do not share antibiotics or stop early without advice. A telemedicine consultation may be suitable for some straightforward cases, but examination or testing is needed when symptoms are severe or unusual.

Seek urgent help for fever, chills, pain in the back or side, vomiting, confusion, faintness, or feeling rapidly worse. Blood in urine needs medical assessment, especially if it persists. Pregnant people, children, men, older adults and people with kidney problems or weakened immunity should seek advice promptly because the infection may need different testing or treatment.

Do I need a urine test? Is an antibiotic appropriate? How soon should symptoms improve? What signs could mean kidney involvement? Why do my infections keep returning?