UTI Symptoms & Fast Treatment — Why You Shouldn’t Wait for a Doctor’s Appointment

urinalysis, and same-day antibiotic treatment at Monarch Medicine in Carmel, IN. Walk-in — no appointment needed. Physician-led care." />

A urinary tract infection doesn’t wait for an available appointment slot. The burning, the urgency, the constant feeling that you need to go — it gets worse by the hour. The good news: UTIs are one of the most straightforward conditions we treat at urgent care. Walk in, provide a urine sample, and leave with antibiotics the same day.

I’m Dr. Lisa Clay, board-certified family physician and founder of Monarch Medicine Urgent Care in Carmel. Here’s what you need to know about recognizing, testing, and treating a UTI.

UTI Symptoms to Watch For

The classic symptoms of an uncomplicated urinary tract infection include:

• Burning or pain during urination — the hallmark symptom
• Urgency — feeling like you need to urinate immediately and often
• Frequency — urinating more often than usual, often in small amounts
• Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
• Pelvic pressure or lower abdominal discomfort
• Blood in urine — pink, red, or cola-colored urine (hematuria)

In older adults, UTI symptoms can be atypical — confusion, agitation, or general malaise without the classic urinary symptoms. If an elderly family member suddenly seems “off,” a UTI should be considered.

How We Diagnose a UTI

At Monarch Medicine, UTI diagnosis involves two steps:

1. Urinalysis (Dipstick)

A rapid in-office urine test that checks for white blood cells (leukocytes), nitrites, and blood. Results in minutes. This confirms the presence of infection in most cases and allows us to start antibiotics immediately.

2. Urine Culture (When Needed)

If you have recurrent UTIs, atypical symptoms, or if the initial treatment doesn’t resolve your symptoms, we send a urine culture to identify the specific bacteria and confirm which antibiotics will be most effective. Results take 48–72 hours.

Treatment: What Happens at Your Visit

For an uncomplicated UTI, your visit at Monarch Medicine typically looks like this:

1. Provide a urine sample — clean-catch, in-office
2. Rapid urinalysis — results in minutes
3. Physician evaluation — review symptoms, assess for complications
4. Antibiotic prescription — sent to your pharmacy before you leave (typically nitrofurantoin or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for 3–5 days)
5. Follow-up plan — instructions via MyChart, return if symptoms don’t improve in 48 hours

Most patients feel significant relief within 24–48 hours of starting antibiotics. Complete the full course even if symptoms resolve.

UTIs in Women vs. Men

UTIs are far more common in women due to a shorter urethra. Approximately 50–60% of women will experience at least one UTI in their lifetime. Risk factors include sexual activity, menopause, pregnancy, and history of previous UTIs.

UTIs in men are less common but often indicate a more complex underlying issue — prostate enlargement, kidney stones, or structural abnormalities. Men with UTI symptoms should always be evaluated by a physician, not a retail clinic NP following a basic protocol.

Recurrent UTIs

If you’re getting 3 or more UTIs per year, that’s a pattern worth investigating. Recurrent UTIs may require longer antibiotic courses, prophylactic antibiotics, or further workup including imaging. Your physician at Monarch Medicine can evaluate the pattern, adjust your treatment approach, and refer to urology if needed.

When a UTI Becomes an Emergency

Why Urgent Care Instead of Waiting for Your PCP

UTIs get worse with time, not better. Waiting 2–3 days for a primary care appointment means 2–3 days of worsening symptoms and an increased risk of the infection spreading to the kidneys. At Monarch Medicine, you walk in today, get tested today, and leave with treatment today. Your visit records sync through Epic/MyChart so your PCP has full visibility.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. UTIs require testing and evaluation by a qualified healthcare provider. If you are experiencing high fever, severe back pain, or signs of kidney infection, seek immediate medical attention or call 911.