Quick answer: Yes. Urgent care is a good place to go for a urinary tract infection (UTI). Providers can test your urine on site, diagnose a UTI in one visit and prescribe antibiotics if you need them. Go to the ER instead if you have a high fever, shaking chills, vomiting, or pain in your back or side, which can be signs of a kidney infection.
UTIs are one of the most common reasons people visit urgent care. They’re uncomfortable, they usually get worse without treatment, and they rarely go away fast on their own. Here’s how to tell if you have one and where to get it treated in Alexandria.
New to PACS? Start with our complete guide to urgent care in Alexandria, VA.
Common UTI symptoms
- Burning or pain when you urinate
- Needing to urinate often, even when little comes out
- A strong, sudden urge to urinate
- Cloudy, dark or strong-smelling urine
- Pink, red or brown urine (a sign of blood)
- Pressure or pain in the lower belly or pelvis
Older adults may have different signs, such as new confusion, weakness or falls. Young children may have fever, fussiness, poor feeding or new bedwetting.
When urgent care is the right choice
Come to urgent care if you have typical UTI symptoms and feel otherwise well. At PACS, UTI treatment usually includes:
- A short exam and questions about your symptoms
- An on-site urinalysis, with results during your visit
- A urine culture sent to a lab if needed
- A prescription for antibiotics if a bacterial infection is likely
Women can also get related care through our women’s health services, including pregnancy testing and contraception.
When to go to the ER
A UTI can spread to the kidneys. Go to the emergency room if you have UTI symptoms plus any of these:
- Fever of 101°F or higher, or shaking chills
- Pain in your back, side or flank
- Nausea or vomiting that keeps you from taking fluids or medicine
- Feeling very weak, dizzy or confused
- You are pregnant and feel very unwell
Is it a UTI or something else?
Some sexually transmitted infections, vaginal infections and kidney stones can feel like a UTI. That’s why testing matters. If there’s any chance of an STI, ask about confidential STD testing during the same visit. Your results stay private.
Can I treat a UTI at home?
Drinking plenty of water and urinating often can help, and over-the-counter pain relievers can ease discomfort. But most bacterial UTIs need antibiotics to clear. Cranberry products have not been shown to treat an active infection. If symptoms last more than a day or two, or get worse, see a provider.
What does a UTI visit cost without insurance?
At PACS, a self-pay visit is $139 and an on-site urinalysis is $45, so a typical UTI visit is about $184 before any prescription. See our full visit cost guide. Most major insurance plans are accepted.
Frequently asked questions
Can urgent care prescribe antibiotics for a UTI?
Yes. If your symptoms and test results point to a bacterial UTI, the provider can prescribe antibiotics during your visit. Learn more about antibiotics for UTIs.
How fast will I get UTI test results?
A urinalysis at PACS is done on site, so results are usually ready during your visit. A urine culture, if needed, is sent to a lab and takes longer.
Can I get UTI treatment through telemedicine?
Sometimes. Otherwise healthy adult women with typical symptoms may be treated through a telemedicine visit. If you need a urine test, you’ll be asked to come in.
Can men get UTIs?
Yes, though they’re less common. UTIs in men often need a closer look, so an in-person visit is best.
Do I need an appointment?
No. PACS accepts walk-ins 7 days a week from 8 AM to 8 PM, and you can check in online.
Get care today at PACS Urgent Care
PACS Urgent Care – Alexandria
3481 N Beauregard St, Alexandria, VA 22302
Open 7 days a week, 8 AM – 8 PM · Walk-ins welcome
Call (571) 656-8838 · Get directions · New patient guide
This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for medical advice. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911.
