When you get a urinary tract infection (UTI), the symptoms can feel scary and sudden. You may notice burning when you pee, pressure in your bladder, or a nonstop urge to go.
These symptoms make many people wonder what caused the infection in the first place. So, how do you get a UTI?
What Is a UTI?
Let’s start with understanding the urinary system itself. It includes the:
- Kidneys
- Ureters
- Bladder
- Urethra
A UTI is an infection of any part of the urinary system. Most UTIs begin in the bladder. This is called cystitis, and it causes common UTI symptoms like burning, pressure, and going to the bathroom more often.
If the bacteria spread upward toward the kidneys, it can cause a kidney infection. A kidney infection is much more serious and needs fast treatment.
How Do You Get a UTI?
You can get a UTI when bacteria enter the urethra and move into the bladder. Here are some common ways this can happen:
- Not emptying your bladder all the way
- Holding your urine too long
- Wiping back to front, which can move bacteria toward the urethra
- Sexual activity, which can push bacteria into the urinary tract
- Not drinking enough water, which keeps bacteria from being flushed out
- Changes in the vagina, including menopause
- Bladder problems, such as an enlarged prostate in men or pelvic organ prolapse in women
- Kidney stones, which can trap bacteria
Some people are also at higher risk for getting UTIs, including:
- Pregnant women
- People with diabetes
- People with kidney problems
- Anyone with a weak immune system
Can a UTI Go Away On its Own?
Most UTIs don’t go away on their own.
Your symptoms might feel better for a short time if you drink more water or pee more often, but the bacteria usually remain. If the infection is not treated, it can spread and lead to more serious problems.
What Can Happen If You Don’t Treat a UTI?
Delaying treatment allows bacteria to linger in the bladder, making repeat infections more likely. And, those bacteria can become harder to treat, especially if they’ve had the chance to multiply and adapt.
When a UTI is ignored, it can spread and create much bigger problems, like a kidney infection. This type of infection is far more serious than cystitis. Kidney infections sometimes require IV antibiotics or a hospital stay. In rare situations, an untreated infection can even spread into the bloodstream, which is a life-threatening emergency.
What About Asymptomatic Bacteriuria?
Asymptomatic bacteriuria means bacteria are present in the urine without causing symptoms. It’s not the same as a UTI.
Most people don’t need treatment for asymptomatic bacteriuria. Antibiotics can actually do more harm than good if given unnecessarily. Your doctor may choose not to treat this condition unless you fall into a specific group, such as with:
- Pregnancy
- Certain urologic procedures
- Kidney transplant recipients
Outside of these situations, simply having bacteria in the urine without discomfort, burning, or urgency usually doesn’t require antibiotics.
When Should I Call My Doctor?
If you’re unsure whether your symptoms qualify as a UTI, your doctor can help clarify what’s happening. Make an appointment to be seen if you have:
- Burning or pain with urination
- Frequent urination or urgency
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
- Blood in the urine (called hematuria)
- Lower abdominal pressure
Seek immediate care if you develop:
- Fever
- Back or flank pain
- A general unwell feeling
- Nausea or vomiting
- Symptoms that worsen or fail to improve
UTIs respond quickly to the right treatment. Early care relieves symptoms faster and protects you from more serious complications.
Get Treatment for a UTI
If you’re feeling burning, pressure, or the sudden urge to pee all the time, it’s normal to worry and wonder, “How do you get a UTI?” The truth is that UTIs are common, and they often happen when bacteria enter the urinary tract and begin to grow. What matters most is getting help early so the infection doesn’t spread or become more painful.
If you’re having symptoms, don’t wait. Prompt treatment helps you feel better faster and protects your urinary health.
Call 843.347.2450 to schedule an appointment today.
Our experienced urologists provide UTI care in Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, and Conway, SC.