UTI Symptoms: When to Go to Urgent Care

Posted on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 11:59 am

UTI Symptoms: When to Go to Urgent Care

If you’ve had a UTI before, you know the feeling — the burning, the constant urge to go, the pressure that won’t let up. Most urinary tract infections don’t clear up on their own, and the longer you wait, the worse they tend to get. If you’re noticing the symptoms, it’s worth getting treated today.

Common Signs You Have a UTI

UTIs are bacterial infections, and they follow a recognizable pattern. The most common symptoms include:

• A burning or stinging sensation when you urinate
• The urge to go frequently, even when very little comes out
• Pressure or aching in the lower abdomen or pelvic area
• Urine that looks cloudy, dark, or has an unusual odor
• A general feeling of being unwell or run down

These symptoms can come on quickly — sometimes over the course of a few hours. If you’re experiencing two or more of these together, a UTI is a likely culprit and a urinalysis can confirm it in the same visit.

When a UTI Needs Urgent Care Right Away

All UTIs benefit from prompt treatment, but a few situations make it especially important to come in without delay:

• Symptoms have been present for more than 24 hours and aren’t improving
• You have a fever — especially above 101°F — alongside urinary symptoms
• You’re experiencing pain in your side, back, or just below the ribs (this can signal the infection has moved to the kidneys)
• You’re pregnant — UTIs during pregnancy need to be treated quickly and require specific antibiotic choices
• You’ve had a UTI in the past several weeks and symptoms have returned

At our clinics in Texarkana, Shreveport, and the Oklahoma City metro, we see UTIs regularly — and kidney involvement is more common than people expect when symptoms have been going on for a couple of days. Don’t wait until the fever kicks in.

— Dr. Spencer Reynolds, HealthCARE Express

Why UTIs Don’t Go Away on Their Own

It’s a common question — can I just drink more water and flush it out? For very early, very mild cases, extra fluid intake may help. But once the bacteria have established in the bladder lining, antibiotics are typically what’s needed to clear the infection. Delaying treatment gives the bacteria more time to multiply and increases the risk of the infection moving up to the kidneys, which turns a straightforward UTI into something that may require IV antibiotics or an ER visit.

The short version: if you’re symptomatic, come in. Treatment is quick, and the alternative is usually worse.

What Happens During a UTI Visit at HCE

Walk in, check in, and let our team know what’s going on. We’ll run a urinalysis in-house — results come back fast, usually within minutes. If the results confirm a UTI, our provider will prescribe the appropriate antibiotic before you leave. Most UTI visits at HealthCARE Express take 30 to 45 minutes from the time you walk in.

We see patients of all ages and genders. While UTIs are far more common in women, they do occur in men — and in men, they often warrant a closer look to rule out other contributing factors. Our providers assess each case individually.

When to Go to the ER Instead

Urgent care handles the vast majority of UTIs without issue. Head to an emergency room if you’re experiencing:

• Severe back or flank pain combined with high fever and chills (signs of a kidney infection)
• Inability to keep fluids down due to nausea or vomiting
• Symptoms that are rapidly worsening over the course of a few hours
• Confusion or disorientation alongside urinary symptoms — especially in older adults

These presentations are less common but need a higher level of care than urgent care can provide.

Walk into any HealthCARE Express location — no appointment needed. [Find your nearest clinic →]