UTI

If you develop symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI), you should seek treatment immediately. At ViteleDoc, a telehealth practice serving patients in California and Oregon, virtual urgent care provider Dustin Jacot, PA-C, provides same-day diagnosis and treatment of UTIs. After a virtual exam, he can prescribe antibiotics and save you from visiting the emergency room. To receive expert treatment for a UTI, use the online booking feature or call Dustin today to schedule a telehealth visit.

What is a UTI?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) develops in your urinary tract (your ureters, bladder, urethra, or kidneys). 

It occurs when bacteria, like E. coli, enter your urethra (the tube that carries urine from your body). Over time, the bacteria multiply, causing inflammation and infection. 

Anyone can develop a UTI, but they’re most common in women. That’s because women’s urethras are shorter and closer to the anus, making them more likely to come into contact with potentially harmful bacteria.

What are the symptoms of a UTI?

The symptoms of a UTI include:

• Pelvic pain
• Pressure in your lower abdomen
• Frequent need to urinate
• Painful or burning urination
• Blood in the urine
• Urge to urinate frequently at night

As the infection worsens, you might also experience pain during sex, a fever, or fatigue.

When should I seek treatment for a UTI?

You should make an appointment at ViteleDoc if you have symptoms of a urinary tract infection and they don’t improve with at-home treatments, like drinking cranberry juice or taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication. That’s especially true if your symptoms last for more than a few days or get worse.

How is a UTI diagnosed?

At ViteleDoc, Dustin diagnoses UTIs via virtual consultations. Simply call the provided number or use the online booking feature to receive prompt care – no waiting time or trip to the emergency room (ER) required. 

During your virtual exam, Dustin reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when they started, if you have foul smelling or unusually colored urine, and if you have sex with multiple partners. He also asks about your lifestyle, including how much water you drink and when you had your last STD test.

In most cases, Dustin diagnoses UTIs during the same visit, but he might also send ask you to take an over the counter (OTC) urinalysis to determine the type of infection you have and help guide treatment.

How are UTIs treated?

At ViteleDoc, Dustin treats urinary tract infections with prescription antibiotics. Depending on the type of bacteria causing the infection, he might recommend:

• Nitrofurantoin
• Sulfa drugs
• Amoxicillin
• Cephalosporins
• Doxycycline

It’s crucial you take the entire course of medication, no matter the type of antibiotic that Dustin prescribes. The infection can return, even if your symptoms go away and you start feeling better. 

Click the online booking feature or call ViteleDoc today to receive treatment for a UTI.