Key takeaways:
If you have urinary tract infection (UTI) symptoms and need help outside of regular work hours, you can go to an urgent care for treatment.
Seeing your primary care provider is usually a better and cheaper option for UTI treatment. This is especially true if you experience frequent UTIs, since they’ll know your history.
An emergency room (ER) is a better choice than urgent care for UTIs if there are signs that the infection has spread to your kidneys or it’s affecting other organs.
When the symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) first start, most people know exactly what it is and what they need. And they need it fast.
In most cases, you can go to urgent care for a UTI. But urgent care visits can be costly and time consuming. And so your primary care provider may be a better choice. Other times, you may have a more advanced infection that an urgent care cannot handle.
Here, we’ll go over the basics of UTI treatment at urgent care facilities, along with some other options. That way, you can decide on the best treatment center for you.
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Can I go to urgent care for a UTI?
Yes, you can go to urgent care for a UTI. But you may not need to.
If the option is available, you can first try to reach out to your primary care provider. Here’s why this might be a better option:
It’ll likely save you both time and money.
Your primary care provider knows you and your medical history. And this can help them know the best and safest treatment for you.
If they’ve treated you for a UTI before, they may know which antibiotic is most effective for your infection.
Some primary care providers may be able to get you started on treatment right away without scheduling an appointment in the office.
That being said, not everyone has a regular healthcare team to reach out to. Also, the team may not be available when you need them. An urgent care may be useful in these cases:
You want to be seen sooner rather than later, and it’s after hours.
You tried to schedule an appointment with your primary care provider, but their schedule is full.
You prefer to walk into a clinic rather than schedule an appointment.
Your UTI symptoms are basic and not complicated.
The basic symptoms of a UTI include:
Feeling the urge to pee frequently
Pain or a burning sensation when urinating
Urine that’s dark or cloudy or has a strong odor
Pain in the lower part of your belly
How do you test for a UTI? There are few different ways to test for a UTI. Most urgent cares can do all three, and they’ll know the best one for you.
Complicated vs. uncomplicated UTIs: An urgent care might not be able to handle a complicated UTI. Learn what makes a UTI “complicated” before you go.
How much does urgent care cost? Urgent care visits can put you back a few hundred dollars, especially if you don’t have insurance coverage. Here’s what to know.
If your symptoms point to a more complicated or serious infection, going to the emergency room (ER) may be a better choice (more on this later).
How long does a UTI test take at urgent care?
The turnaround time for a UTI test at an urgent care depends on the type of test done. Below, we go over the different tests that urgent cares and doctor’s offices use to check urine.
Depending on your specific situation, a healthcare professional may perform none or all of these tests.
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Dipstick
Turnaround time: 1 to 2 minutes
This kind of test uses a strip of paper that’s dipped into a urine sample. The paper changes color if there are certain substances in the urine that indicate a possible infection.
Urinalysis
Turnaround time: same day or next day
This kind of test is a little more accurate than a dipstick. A lab technician looks for signs of an infection by placing a sample of urine under a microscope.
Urine culture
Turnaround time: 24 to 72 hours
This is the most accurate test to diagnose a UTI. A urine sample is placed in a petri dish to determine exactly what type of bacteria is causing your infection.
What UTI treatment will I receive at urgent care?
If your testing at the urgent care indicates a UTI, you’ll likely receive a prescription for an antibiotic.
There are several different antibiotics that can treat a UTI. The best antibiotic for you will depend on certain factors, such as:
Allergies to medications (if any)
Other medications you take
Your age and other medical conditions
Where you live and the bacteria that’s most common in your local population
If you have a urine culture as part of your testing, the results can sometimes change the recommended antibiotic. This is especially true if the bacteria causing your infection is different than expected. If this is the case, a healthcare professional will likely call you to communicate the change in treatment plan.
When to go to the ER instead of urgent care for a UTI
UTIs are bothersome and annoying. But they’re generally not life-threatening. Still, there are some scenarios when you’ll want to go to the ER instead of urgent care. Seek immediate care if you have UTI symptoms plus the following:
Fever
Chills and body aches
Pain in your lower back or flank
Nausea and vomiting
A significant amount of blood in the urine
Confusion, sleepiness, or drowsiness
Any chest pain or shortness of breath
Also, some UTIs can be more serious than others. This is especially true if you have:
An infection that has spread to the kidneys, a condition called pyelonephritis
A kidney stone at the same time
Signs or symptoms of sepsis
A weak immune system
A history of complicated infections or infections that don’t respond to normal antibiotics
In these cases, a more serious UTI means you should go to the ER for treatment.
Frequently asked questions
The cost of an urgent care visit for a UTI will depend on :
The urgent care’s location and health network
The testing and treatment that’s performed
Your insurance coverage
Without insurance, the cost can vary between $100 and $300. If you want to know the potential cost before you go, call the urgent care and share your insurance details.
A mild UTI can sometimes go away on its own within a few days. But there’s a risk that it’ll get worse or spread to your kidneys if it goes untreated. Get help right away if you have a UTI plus the following:
Pregnancy
A weak immune system
Trouble emptying your bladder or an enlarged prostate
Kidney disease
Diabetes
A urethral stent
A urinary catheter
A UTI doesn’t always need urgent treatment. If you’re otherwise healthy and the symptoms are on the mild side, you can wait to see your primary care provider rather than go to an urgent care.
The cost of an urgent care visit for a UTI will depend on :
The urgent care’s location and health network
The testing and treatment that’s performed
Your insurance coverage
Without insurance, the cost can vary between $100 and $300. If you want to know the potential cost before you go, call the urgent care and share your insurance details.
A mild UTI can sometimes go away on its own within a few days. But there’s a risk that it’ll get worse or spread to your kidneys if it goes untreated. Get help right away if you have a UTI plus the following:
Pregnancy
A weak immune system
Trouble emptying your bladder or an enlarged prostate
Kidney disease
Diabetes
A urethral stent
A urinary catheter
A UTI doesn’t always need urgent treatment. If you’re otherwise healthy and the symptoms are on the mild side, you can wait to see your primary care provider rather than go to an urgent care.
The bottom line
You can go to an urgent care for a UTI if you’re generally healthy and need a quick visit. If possible, reach out to your primary care provider first. They may be able to treat you for much cheaper. This may also be better since they’re already familiar with your health history.
A more serious infection often means a trip to the ER is needed. If you are experiencing other symptoms like fever, nausea, vomiting, and/or back pain, seek immediate treatment. And don’t be afraid to call your doctor’s office for guidance on the best place to be seen if you’re unsure.
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References
Belyayeva, M., et al. (2014). Acute pyelonephritis. StatPearls.
Iain J. Abbott, et al. (2023). Antibiotic management of urinary tract infections in the post-antibiotic era: A narrative review highlighting diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardship. Clinical Microbiology and Infection.
