Symptoms of a UTI can appear suddenly. You might feel a strong need to urinate, experience pain while urinating, or have the urge to go very often (just minutes after you’ve already gone). You could also feel soreness in your lower abdomen, back or sides. Additionally, your urine may appear cloudy, bloody, and have strong odor. If you experience back pain, chills, fever, nausea or vomiting, these could indicate a more serious issue, such as a kidney infection. If you suspect you have symptoms of a kidney infection, seek in-person medical care promptly.

UTIs can often be diagnosed based on symptoms and medical history. A urine test, however, can confirm you have a UTI and determine the specific bacteria that caused it.

Anyone, regardless of age or gender, can develop a UTI, although they are more frequently seen in women. Factors that increase the risk of a UTI include being sexually active, using specific forms of birth control (like diaphragms and spermicidal products), pregnancy, menopause, having kidney stones and conditions that weaken your immune system (such as diabetes).

UTIs are typically treated with antibiotics, as the infection is caused by bacteria. After starting antibiotics, symptoms generally improve quickly. Increasing fluid intake can help speed recovery and ease symptoms, along with certain over-the-counter (OTC) products for urinary pain such as phenazopyridine (AZO Urinary Pain Relief) AZO. When prescribed antibiotics, including those to treat a UTI, it is essential to complete the entire medication course, even if symptoms resolve before finishing all of the medication.

Most symptoms of a UTI go away in one to two days after starting antibiotics. However, it’s very important to finish all the medication prescribed for your UTI, even if symptoms go away.

UTIs are caused by bacteria in the urinary tract and therefore can only be treated with antibiotics. After starting antibiotic treatment, it may take up to one to two days for symptoms to improve. During this waiting period, over-the-counter (OTC) products such as AZO are available to help ease the uncomfortable symptoms of a UTI.

Phenazopyridine (AZO) is an OTC urinary pain management product, which helps relieve urinary pain, burning and urgency, and starts to work in as little as 20 minutes. It is important to note that AZO may cause some stomach discomfort, so take it with food. Additionally, it will cause urine to turn a reddish-orange color. While this discoloration is not harmful, care should be taken as it can stain clothing or other materials, including contact lenses if handled after touching AZO tablets. Do not use if you have a hypersensitivity to AZO or its ingredients or if you have G6PD deficiency, unless approved by your provider. If you have kidney disease, allergies to foods or dyes, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak with your provider before taking AZO. Contact your healthcare provider if your symptoms last more than 2 days or if you suspect you are having an adverse reaction to AZO.

While there are no guaranteed methods to prevent UTIs, there are steps you can take to decrease your risk. Here are some tips to help prevent UTIs from recurring:

• Stay hydrated – drink water daily to help flush bacteria from the urinary tract.
• Use healthy bathroom habits – urinate every 3-4 hours, fully empty your bladder, and have soft daily bowel movements to avoid constipation (which increases UTI risk). Always wipe from front to back after using the toilet.
• Wear breathable clothing – choose cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes to reduce trapped moisture, which may promote bacterial growth.
• Consider your birth control if you currently use one – some methods, such as diaphragms, spermicides and lubricated condoms increase the risk of UTI. Talk with your healthcare provider about potential options if you get frequent UTIs.
• If UTIs happen after sex – your provider may recommend a routine or medication to use afterward.

By combining hydration, healthy bathroom habits, appropriate birth control choices and moisture control, you can help reduce your risk of developing a UTI.