Urinary Tract Infection and Yeast Infection Treatment

Yale New Haven Health Urgent Care—a physician-founded practice that’s been treating patients since 2008—proudly offers treatment for urinary tract infections and yeast infections. We’ve earned a reputation across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York for delivering quality care with ease and speed.

Urinary Tract Infections

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a type of infection that develops within the urinary system, which includes the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys.

UTI Causes & Risk Factors

UTIs are most commonly caused by bacteria, especially E. coli (a type of bacteria commonly found in the large intestine). After entering through the urethra, bacteria can continue into the bladder, the ureters, and finally, the kidneys.

Certain anatomical differences make women more likely than men to develop UTIs. For example, a woman’s urethra is located closer to her anus, which makes it easier for bacteria to travel from her anus into her urinary tract. Plus, a woman’s urethra is shorter, which makes it easier for bacteria to move from the urethra to the bladder.

UTI Symptoms

If you have a UTI, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Pain or a burning, itching, or stinging sensation while urinating
• Frequent urination
• A persistent urge to urinate despite not being able to produce much urine
• Urinary incontinence
• Urine that’s bright pink, red, cola-colored, cloudy, or foul-smelling
• Urine that contains small blood clots

UTI Treatment

Treatment for a UTI usually involves taking an antibiotic. Even if you start feeling better after the first few doses, it’s important to take the full course of medication, since failing to do so could allow a UTI to return and become resistant to treatment.

Vaginal Yeast Infections

A yeast infection is a type of fungal infection that can affect the skin and certain body cavities, including the vagina.

Yeast Infection Causes & Risk Factors

Our bodies naturally contain a type of yeast known as “candida.” When candida levels become imbalanced, it can cause a yeast infection to develop. The following risk factors can increase the chances of experiencing a vaginal yeast infection:

• Taking antibiotics, birth control pills, or certain steroids
• Having unmanaged diabetes
• Having a weakened immune system
• Being pregnant
• Sitting in sweaty clothes or a wet bathing suit
• Using scented tampons or pads
• Douching or using vaginal deodorant

Yeast Infection Symptoms

The symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection include:

• A burning or itching sensation in the vulva and vagina (this may worsen when urinating or having sex)
• Redness and swelling in the vulva and vagina
• Small cuts in the vulvar skin
• Thick, lumpy discharge resembling cottage cheese

Yeast Infection Treatment

Treatment for a vaginal yeast infection often involves using an oral or topical antifungal medication. As with UTIs, it’s important to carefully follow treatment instructions to prevent a yeast infection from returning.

When to Go to Urgent Care for a UTI or Yeast Infection

Should you visit an urgent care center, the emergency room (ER), or your primary care provider (PCP) for a UTI or yeast infection? The answer will largely depend on the severity of your symptoms. Visiting the ER should generally be reserved for when you’re experiencing a life- or limb-threatening illness or injury. ERs typically charge high rates in comparison to other providers, and because they have to prioritize treating individuals with medical emergencies, patients with milder conditions often have to wait a long time to receive care.

Vaginal yeast infections almost never require emergency treatment. Although UTIs rarely constitute emergencies, they may require a trip to the ER if they progress and produce especially severe symptoms such as:

• Pain in the abdomen, sides, lower back, or pelvis
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Chills
• Shaking
• Abnormal heart function
• Difficulty breathing
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Confusion, difficulty focusing, or memory problems
• A general feeling of being unwell (malaise)

If you’re experiencing symptoms like these, you should call 911 or get to a nearby hospital as soon as possible. You may also want to consider visiting the ER for a UTI if you have diabetes or kidney disease, you’re currently using or have recently used antibiotics or a catheter, or you’re elderly, immunocompromised, pregnant, or part of another high-risk population.

Otherwise, you can rely on either your PCP or an urgent care provider to treat your UTI or yeast infection. With that said, PCPs typically have limited office hours and are often booked far in advance, so it may be difficult to secure an appointment with them. If no appointments are available or you need treatment outside of your PCP’s normal business hours—for example, at night or on a weekend or holiday—then you should seek urgent care for your UTI or yeast infection.

Why Choose Yale New Haven Health Urgent Care for UTI & Yeast Infection Treatment?

Many providers offer urgent care for UTIs and yeast infections, so why should you turn to Yale New Haven Health Urgent Care for treatment? Here are just a few of the qualities that set us apart from other urgent care providers:

• Experience – We’ve been treating patients of all ages since 2008 and all of our providers are trained in either emergency, family, or internal medicine.
• Certification – We’re certified by the Urgent Care Association (UCA). In fact, we were the first UCA-accredited urgent care practice in Connecticut.
• Affordability – We’re in-network with most major health insurance plans, and if you’re currently uninsured, you can take advantage of our cost-efficient self-pay rates.
• Convenience – We’re open 365 days per year during extended hours—including evenings, weekends, and holidays—and we also offer a 24/7 integrated telehealth service that allows patients to speak to local providers from the comfort of their homes. If you opt to receive care remotely and we determine that you need in-person testing or treatment, we’ll arrange a time for you to visit one of our nearby urgent care centers.
• Dedication – We provide professional, fast, and friendly urgent care that delivers an exceptional experience to every patient, every time.

We’ve Got You

If you think you might have a UTI or yeast infection, you can get the treatment you need at Yale New Haven Health Urgent Care. We operate urgent care centers in Connecticut and New York, and as was noted above, we stay open 365 days per year and offer extended hours for our patients’ convenience. Walk into the location nearest you today, book a visit online, or take advantage of our 24/7 integrated telehealth service. No matter which option you choose, you can look forward to receiving exceptional urinary tract infection or yeast infection treatment that will help relieve your symptoms as quickly as possible.