How To Tell If You Have a Urinary Tract Infection

how to know if you have a uti

How To Tell If You Have a Urinary Tract Infection

For those of us familiar with the telltale discomfort, there’s no mistaking a urinary tract infection (UTI) when it first rears its ugly head. But, if you don’t know how to tell if you have a urinary tract infection, TestSure has your back. With a little knowledge and a supply of UTI test strips, there is no reason to suffer for long.

What is a urinary tract infection?

A UTI is an overgrowth of foreign bacteria in the urinary tract. The longer a UTI is left untreated, the further up the urinary tract it progresses and the more severe it becomes. An infection may start in the urethra, then progress up to the bladder, and eventually infect the kidneys.

What causes a urinary tract infection?

UTIs are more common in women, who have shorter urethras than men. Common causes include E. coli bacteria from the anus and other foreign bacteria introduced during sex. So, to prevent a UTI, women should take care to wipe from front to back after using the bathroom, and always urinate and rinse off after sex.

Of course, many women are just prone to frequent UTIs. These women might try drinking lots of water and unsweetened cranberry juice as preventative measures. Or, keep TestSure UTI test strips on hand to catch infections during their early stages.

What are the symptoms?

You might have a UTI if you experience:

Frequent or intense urges to urinate,
Difficulty urinating,
Burning or pain when urinating,
Blood in your urine, a cloudy appearance, or an unusual smell,
Pain in your back or lower abdomen,
Fatigue,
Fever. (If this is the case, reach out to a doctor as soon as possible. It may be a sign the infection has reached your kidneys.)

What should you do if you think you might have a UTI?

Use TestSure’s UTI test strips. For $9.99, you’ll get a bottle of 100. Test twice (results come in two minutes). If you get a positive result, make an appointment with your primary care doctor or gynecologist. She or he will confirm the diagnosis and prescribe antibiotics. In the meantime, to lessen symptoms, drink plenty of water and unsweetened cranberry juice, and use the bathroom as soon as you feel the urge.

UTI strips as well as urinalysis test strips are a great way to catch an infection in its early stages. Don’t suffer needlessly. Take charge of your health!