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Urinary Tract Infection FAQs

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When any part of your urinary system is infected ― the bladder, urethra, kidneys or ureters ― you’ve got a urinary tract infection (UTI). Most UTIs occur in the bladder and urethra. Symptoms may include: 

  • Increased urgency
  • Painful or burning urination
  • Urinating frequently in small amounts
  • Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
  • Red, pink or brown urine (a possible sign of blood)
  • Pain in the pelvis or around the pubic bone

How does a woman get a UTI?

Bacteria enters the urinary tract and travels through the urethra to the bladder, causing infection. Women are at increased UTI risk because their urethras are shorter than men’s, making it faster for bacteria to reach the bladder.

How do you get rid of a UTI?

If you think you have a UTI, contact your Mercy doctor or visit an urgent care. Antibiotics are often used to treat UTIs. The type of antibiotic depends on your medical history, how severe your infection is and the kind of bacteria in your urine.

Symptoms may clear up in a few days, but your doctor might want you to take antibiotics for a week or longer. Take the full dose as prescribed to make sure the infection is gone.

How does a man get a UTI?

UTIs can develop in men’s urethra, bladder, prostate or kidneys. A UTI in the urethra is often related to sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea or chlamydia. Other types of bacteria usually don’t infect the urethra because they’re washed away by urine first.

Bladder infections aren’t common in men because their urethra is longer, so bacteria travel further to reach the bladder. A UTI can develop in the prostate from bacteria in the bladder or bloodstream. Bacteria that reaches the kidneys can cause serious illness.

Are UTIs contagious?

UTIs aren’t contagious or considered to be sexually transmitted infections. But the bacteria that causes UTIs can travel between people.

How accurate are home UTI tests?

These tests aren’t 100% accurate. Contact your Mercy doctor if you have UTI symptoms and a negative home test result. Issues like yeast infections and STDs may also cause UTI symptoms.

How long does a UTI last?

Symptoms may last only a few days or up to a week. Without treatment, you could develop an infection in your kidneys or bloodstream, leading to life-threatening illnesses.

What can mimic a UTI?

UTIs symptoms are similar to other conditions, including:

  • Appendicitis – An inflamed appendix causes abdomen pain, nausea, vomiting and fever.
  • Cancer – Like UTIs, bladder and kidney cancer may cause blood in the urine and pain in the side.
  • Diabetes – Frequent urination in large amounts can signal diabetes but may be confused with a UTI.
  • Kidney stones – Stones can cause abdomen or side pain, nausea, vomiting and blood in the urine.
  • Overactive bladder – Increased urges, frequency and nighttime urination can signal overactive bladder.
  • Pregnancy – During pregnancy, increased nighttime urination, incontinence and incomplete urination can feel like a UTI.
  • Prostatitis – Prostate inflammation can cause pelvic pain, painful urination and increased frequency.
  • Sexually transmitted infections – Gonorrhea, chlamydia and mycoplasma can cause painful urination and discharge.
  • Vaginitis – Vaginal infections can feel similar to the burning and discomfort that come with a UTI.
Find a Urologist

Mercy has experienced urologists across most of our communities. 

Find a urologist near you.