The symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) go away within a couple of days of starting treatment with antibiotics. Only rarely does the infection clear up on its own, and if left untreated, it can become more serious and spread to your kidneys or bloodstream.
The Signs of a UTI
The annoying and painful symptoms of a UTI can last for a long time if left untreated. These include:
- Pain or burning when peeing.
- A strong and frequent urge to urinate, even if not much pee comes out.
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine.
- Lower abdominal pressure.
- Feeling shaky, weak, or tired.
- Fever.
If you’re experiencing any of these signs, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider so you can treat them quickly and easily.
How to Clear the Infection
If you have a UTI, your medical provider will prescribe you a course of antibiotics to treat the infection. You might have to take the medication for three to seven days, depending on its severity. The symptoms of the UTI, however, should go away within a day or two. Even if you’re feeling better, complete the entire treatment to make sure you’ve killed off all the bacteria.
If your UTI doesn’t go away within a few days of starting antibiotics, you might be dealing with an antibiotic-resistant type of bacteria. In this case, your healthcare provider will need to determine which medications are effective against that strain.