Primary Care
Self-Care Tips | Urinary Tract Infection
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Urinary tract infections occur when bacteria invade your urethra, ureters, bladder, or kidneys.
Symptoms of a urinary tract infection
- Frequent urination
- Burning or pain during urination
- Feeling like you have to urinate even though little or no urine actually comes out
- Leaking a small amount of urine
- Bloody or foul-smelling urine
What you can do to avoid a urinary tract infection
- Drink plenty of water. This dilutes the urine, and helps flush out bacteria.
- Wipe from front to back after using the restroom, to sweep bacteria away from the urethra.
- Urinate after sex to wash away bacteria.
- Be careful of your birth control method: Diaphragms and spermicides have been shown to increase the risk of getting a UTI.
When to call your primary care provider
- If symptoms are accompanied by nausea or vomiting, fever, chills
- You have back pain or pain on one side of your body
- You're pregnant
- You have diabetes
- Symptoms come back shortly after being treated with antibiotics
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