Same-day illness
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
We diagnose and treat urinary tract infections, usually the same day you call. A UTI is uncomfortable and it does not improve on its own, so we keep appointments open for it. Bring a urine sample if you can, and we can often start treatment at the visit.
Come in if you have
- Burning or stinging when you pass urine
- Needing to go constantly, or going and barely producing anything
- Cloudy, strong-smelling or pink-tinged urine
- Pain low down in your abdomen
- You have had UTIs before and recognise the feeling starting
What happens at your visit
- We test a urine sample in the office — this takes minutes and tells us a lot.
- We ask a few questions about your symptoms and any previous infections.
- If it is a straightforward infection we usually start treatment at the visit.
- A sample may be sent for a fuller culture, and we will contact you if that changes the plan.
Do not wait it out
A urinary tract infection will not usually clear on its own, and leaving it increases the chance it moves up to the kidneys, which is a considerably more serious problem. If you recognise the symptoms, get seen.
We keep same-day appointments for exactly this reason.
What happens at the visit
Testing a urine sample in the office takes a few minutes and confirms whether an infection is present. For a straightforward case we can usually start treatment at that appointment rather than making you wait.
We may also send a sample for a fuller laboratory culture, which identifies the specific bacteria. If that comes back showing something different from what we expected, we will call you and change the plan.
When it is more than a simple UTI
Get seen urgently — or go to the emergency room if we are closed — if you have:
- Fever and chills
- Pain in your back or side, rather than low in your abdomen
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion, particularly in an older adult
Those suggest the infection may have reached a kidney.
If they keep coming back
Repeated infections are worth looking into properly rather than treating one at a time. There are usually identifiable reasons, and often something can be done to reduce how often they happen. Ask about it at your visit.
Common questions
- Can I be seen today?
- Usually, yes. UTIs are one of the things we keep same-day slots for. Call the office in the morning if you can.
- Should I bring a urine sample?
- If you can, yes — it saves time. Otherwise we will collect one at the office, so it helps not to empty your bladder right before you arrive.
- Will cranberry juice fix it?
- No. It will not treat an existing infection. Drinking plenty of water is genuinely helpful alongside treatment, but it is not a substitute for being seen.
- When is a UTI an emergency?
- If you have fever and chills, pain in your back or side, nausea and vomiting, or you feel very unwell, the infection may have reached your kidneys. That needs to be seen urgently — call us straight away, or go to the ER if the office is closed.
- I keep getting them. Is that normal?
- Recurring UTIs are common but worth investigating rather than just treating each time. Come in and we will look at why they keep happening and what can be done to reduce them.
This page explains how we care for this condition at our office. It is general information, not medical advice for your specific situation — please talk to us about your own care.
Ready to get this looked at?
Call us or send a request and we will get you in — often the same or next day.