Where to get UTI treatment: Primary care, urgent care or ER

August 10, 2025

Providence Health Team

[5 MIN READ]

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common reasons why people visit the emergency department (ER). However, having a UTI usually isn’t an emergency.
Most UTIs can be treated with oral antibiotics from your primary care provider or an urgent care clinic near you.
Only go to the ER for a UTI if your condition is life-threatening, you are pregnant or immunocompromised, or you have symptoms of a more serious infection, such as high fever, extreme side pain or vomiting.

If you’ve had a urinary tract infection (UTI), you know just how uncomfortable the symptoms can be. The burning sensation. The pelvic pain. The constant urge to urinate. It makes sense that people with UTIs look for treatment that’s fast and effective.

UTIs are a common reason people visit the emergency department (ER). But most of the time, a UTI isn’t a true emergency and doesn’t require the ER. We spoke with Pareena Kaur, M.D., a Providence family medicine doctor who sees patients in Los Angeles, California, about how to recognize a UTI and where patients should seek care. Read on to learn more.

What to look for: Risk factors and symptoms of UTIs

People tend to get UTIs when a specific type of bacteria enters the urinary tract, leading to infection. Dr. Kaur says that holding urine for too long, having sex and using spermicides all increase the risk of getting a UTI. Those with female anatomy are also at a higher risk.

The most common symptoms of UTIs include:

Pain or burning sensation while urinating (often the most noticeable symptom)
Frequent urge to urinate (even when you urinate a little, the urge remains)
Cloudy or strong-smelling urine (may suggest the presence of bacteria)
Pelvic pain (particularly in the lower abdomen)
Blood in the urine (A more severe symptom that you should seek help for right away)

Typical treatment for UTIs

At Providence, our goal with UTI treatment is to relieve your pain so that you’re more comfortable. The main treatment for UTIs usually is an antibiotic, which requires a prescription from a health care provider. Additionally, there are ways to help relieve symptoms at home.

“Adjunctive measures, such as increased hydration and cranberry juice, may help relieve symptoms or reduce recurrence,” explains Dr. Kaur. “However, these should not be a replacement for medical evaluation to avoid risk of complications.”

For most UTIs, the best place for a medical evaluation is your primary care provider or an urgent care clinic near you — not the ER.

When to reconsider going to the ER for UTI treatment

While the ER is the place to go for emergencies, it’s not the best choice for non-emergencies, including UTIs, because:

Emergency care is more expensive than other health care options. You’ll likely pay a lot more in the ER for the same tests and evaluations you can receive somewhere else — even if your health insurance covers most of the cost.
You usually have to wait longer in the ER, especially for non-life-threatening issues like UTIs. A single visit can take several hours.
The ER can be overwhelming, with many patients and urgent cases, and add to stress levels.

“The majority of UTIs in otherwise healthy, nonpregnant adults are not considered to be a medical emergency and can be treated in the outpatient setting with appropriate oral antibiotics,” says Dr. Kaur. “Seeking care in the ER does not provide additional benefit unless you are in a high-risk population or have signs of a more serious infection.”

High-risk populations include people who are pregnant or immunocompromised, or those with an irregular urinary tract. Signs of more serious infection can include a high fever, extreme side pain and vomiting. If you think you’re experiencing an emergency, go to the ER. But if not, consider other options.

Primary care for UTI treatment

Your primary care provider is a great resource when you have any health questions or concerns. They know your medical history and provide the most personalized care. If you have a UTI, your primary care provider can prescribe antibiotics and offer advice on other ways to reduce symptoms and prevent future UTIs. They can even help with UTIs that go away and come back (called recurrent UTIs).

“Postmenopausal women with recurrent UTIs may benefit from discussing with their doctor the use of vaginal estrogen to lower their risk of recurrent UTI,” explains Dr. Kaur.

Many primary care providers also have telehealth options. At Providence, with ExpressCare Virtual, you can start a virtual visit, seven days a week, with no appointment needed. You’re able to receive prescriptions and advice without leaving home. In some cases, you may need to see a provider in person for a physical exam.

Urgent care for UTI treatment

If you have a UTI, you may not be able to make an appointment with your primary care provider immediately. Maybe their office is closed, and your symptoms can’t wait. Urgent care can be a helpful alternative.

Urgent care clinics and ExpressCare clinics at Providence provide same-day care for non-life-threatening conditions, such as UTIs. Urgent care is available seven days a week. You can schedule an appointment online, reserve a spot or walk in without an appointment.

Financial assistance and low-cost clinics

At Providence, we support everyone who comes to us for care, regardless of coverage or ability to pay. We recognize that many people in our community either don’t have health insurance, or those with insurance may have high out-of-pocket costs.

Either way, you shouldn’t have to delay care due to financial concerns. Roughly three out of four people who apply for financial assistance receive support.

In addition to treating patients with both Medicare and Medicaid, Providence also provides low-cost clinics through the Health Resources and Services Administration.

These clinics, located throughout the Providence service area, can help you access primary care services at a much lower cost than you would normally pay. Our goal is to help patients establish a relationship with a primary care provider without having to break the bank.

Learn more about where to go for appropriate care

You can learn more about medical emergencies and when you should use your primary care provider, urgent care and the ER on Providence’s Appropriate Care web page.

Contributing caregiver

Pareena Kaur, M.D., is a family medicine doctor who sees patients in Los Angeles, California.

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