- October 14, 2026
This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
UTI symptoms are hard to ignore: the burning, the constant urge, the feeling that something is wrong. About half of women will have a bladder infection at some point in their lives, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), and many wonder whether water and cranberry juice will clear it up. Comfort measures can help, but a bacterial infection is usually treated with antibiotics. Here is how to tell the difference and when to call a doctor.
The Short Answer
Common urinary tract infection (UTI) symptoms include burning during urination, a frequent urge to go, cloudy or strong-smelling urine, and pain or pressure in the lower abdomen. Home remedies can ease discomfort, but they do not cure an infection. See a provider as soon as you can, and the same day for fever, back or side pain, vomiting, or blood in your urine.
Common UTI Symptoms
A UTI happens when bacteria get into the urinary tract. A bladder infection is the most common type. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NIDDK list the same warning signs, so watch for these:
- Burning or pain when you urinate
- A strong, frequent urge to go, even when little urine comes out
- Cloudy urine, or urine that smells strong
- Blood in the urine
- Pressure or pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis
UTI vs. bladder infection. The terms overlap. A bladder infection (cystitis) is the most common type of UTI. “UTI” is the broader term and also covers infections of the urethra and kidneys. See the NIDDK overview.
Signs the infection may have reached the kidneys: fever, chills, pain in the back or side, nausea, or vomiting. NIDDK says quick treatment is important, so do not wait.
UTI Symptoms in Men, Children, Pregnancy, and Older Adults
- Older adults may show confusion or a sudden change in behavior instead of the usual symptoms.
- Children may have a fever or be irritable. For a baby younger than 3 months with a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, the CDC says to talk to a healthcare professional right away.
- Men with urinary symptoms should be evaluated, since causes can include an enlarged prostate or other blockage.
- Pregnancy and diabetes are listed among the risk factors for UTIs. Tell your provider promptly if you are pregnant and have symptoms.
When to See a Doctor for a UTI
- Fever, chills, back or side pain, nausea, or vomiting
- Blood in your urine
- Symptoms that last or keep returning
- You are pregnant, have diabetes, or have a weakened immune system
- You are a man with urinary symptoms
- Two or more UTIs in six months, or three or more in a year, which the American Urological Association (AUA) describes as recurrent and which may call for further evaluation
How a UTI Is Diagnosed and Treated
A provider usually checks a urine sample for signs of infection, and may send it for culture to identify the bacteria. If it is a bacterial infection, treatment is usually a course of antibiotics, and you should take every dose even after you feel better.
According to NIDDK, a urinalysis checks for blood and white blood cells, and a urine culture shows which bacteria are present and whether antibiotics are an option. Culture results usually take a few days. The CDC advises you to take every dose as prescribed and to call your provider if symptoms do not improve, get worse, or side effects occur.
Primary Care, Urgent Care, or the Emergency Room?
For typical UTI symptoms, same-day care at a primary care or urgent care office is a good fit, because testing, treatment, and follow-up can happen with one team. The emergency room is for severe symptoms or emergencies.
Windermere Medical Group offers same-day appointments and urgent and acute care, which includes urinary tract infections, within our primary care practice. We also offer lab testing at our offices.
UTI Care at Windermere Medical Group
| Location | Address | Phone | Weekday hours | Saturday hours |
| Cumming | 3850 Windermere Pkwy, Ste 105, Cumming, GA 30041 | (678) 455-2800 | 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM | 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Canton | 200 Eagles Nest Dr, Ste 300-D, Canton, GA 30115 | (678) 455-3200 | 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM | 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Baldwin | 386 Hwy 441, Baldwin, GA 30511 | (706) 407-0100 | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (televisits only) |
| Gainesville | 1556 & 1564 Park Hill Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501 | (678) 400-7001 | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (televisits only) |
| Alpharetta | 775 McFarland Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30004 | (470) 470-3272 | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Weekdays only |
| Lawrenceville | 1695 Duluth Hwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30043 | (470) 240-0888 | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Weekdays only |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The first signs are usually burning when you urinate, a frequent or strong urge to go, and passing only small amounts of urine. You may also notice cloudy or strong-smelling urine or pressure in your lower abdomen. See a provider as soon as you can.
A bladder infection is the most common type of UTI, but they are not identical. “UTI” is the broader term and also includes infections of the urethra and kidneys. Kidney infections are more serious and can cause fever, chills, back or side pain, nausea, or vomiting.
No. Drinking fluids, using a heating pad, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers can ease discomfort, but they do not treat the infection. A bladder infection caused by bacteria is usually treated with antibiotics prescribed by a provider, so see one if symptoms continue.
Do not count on it. NIDDK says a provider will likely prescribe antibiotics for a bladder infection caused by bacteria, and an untreated infection can spread to the kidneys. If symptoms are mild, a provider can confirm whether you have an infection and what you need.
See a provider as soon as you can if you have UTI symptoms. Get care the same day for fever, chills, back or side pain, nausea, vomiting, or blood in your urine, and sooner if you are pregnant, have diabetes, or are a man with symptoms. Call 911 for an emergency.
Yes, though bladder infections are more common in women and rare in men under 50, according to NIDDK. Men with urinary symptoms should be evaluated, since an enlarged prostate or another blockage can be a cause or a risk factor.
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