Adult UTI Treatment (Urinary Tract Infection)
Fast MD-only UTI care for adults in California by secure online video visit, $49 flat-fee, no insurance required.
Burning with urination, urinary urgency, and frequent trips to the bathroom are classic signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI), usually caused by bacteria in the bladder. Our board-certified MDs use guideline-based criteria to confirm an uncomplicated UTI by video, rule out red flags for kidney infection or sepsis, and prescribe safe, effective antibiotics when appropriate for adults located in California.
- $49 flat-fee visit, no hidden costs
- MD-only care, no mid-level providers
- No insurance required or accepted
- Available for adults in California (and 25+ states)
- Secure, encrypted video visits from home
Online UTI Care by California-Licensed MDs
- Typical visit length: 10–15 minutes
- Most uncomplicated UTIs treated same day
- Guideline-based antibiotic selection
- No urgent care waiting room or exposure
For adults only (18+). You must be physically located in California at the time of your video visit. We do not prescribe controlled substances or chronic pain medications.
What Is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection involving the urinary system, most commonly the bladder (acute uncomplicated cystitis). Bacteria, often Escherichia coli from the gastrointestinal tract, enter the urethra and multiply in the bladder, leading to inflammation of the bladder lining.
Adults typically notice burning or pain with urination, urinary urgency, going more often than usual, and sometimes blood in the urine. In otherwise healthy, non-pregnant adults, these symptoms with no vaginal discharge or irritation are strongly suggestive of an uncomplicated bladder infection. When bacteria ascend higher into the upper urinary tract, they can cause kidney infection (pyelonephritis) with fever, flank pain, and systemic illness, which requires in-person or emergency care.
TeleDirectMD focuses on prompt, evidence-based care for uncomplicated UTIs in adults. We screen carefully for red flags that suggest a more serious infection or complicated anatomy and direct you to in-person evaluation if video care is not safe.
Common UTI Symptoms and Red Flags
During your visit, the MD will review your symptoms, medical history, and risk factors to determine whether a simple bladder infection can be safely treated by telehealth or whether you need an in-person exam, urine testing, or imaging.
| Symptom | What It Suggests | Telehealth appropriate? | Red flag requiring urgent in-person care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burning or pain with urination (dysuria) | Classic lower urinary tract irritation, often uncomplicated cystitis | Yes, if mild to moderate and no systemic symptoms | Severe pain, unable to urinate, or associated with fever or flank pain |
| Urinary frequency and urgency | Bladder inflammation from bacterial infection | Yes, if stable and no pregnancy, kidney disease, or male red flags | New urinary incontinence, urinary retention, or confusion in older adults |
| Visible blood in urine (hematuria) | Possible UTI, but also stones or other causes of bleeding | Maybe, if mild, short-lived, and clearly linked to UTI symptoms | Gross, persistent blood, clots, or history of cancer, stones, or trauma |
| Suprapubic pressure or discomfort | Bladder irritation common in cystitis | Yes, if no flank pain or systemic signs | Diffuse abdominal pain, guarding, or signs of peritonitis |
| Fever ≥ 100.4°F (38.0°C) | Possible kidney infection (pyelonephritis) or another systemic infection | No, not for first evaluation | Urgent in-person or ER evaluation recommended |
| Flank or back pain (near kidneys) | Suspicious for pyelonephritis or stones | No, requires hands-on exam and often labs or imaging | ER or urgent care, especially if combined with fever, vomiting, or feeling very ill |
| Nausea, vomiting, or inability to keep fluids down | Systemic infection or dehydration | No | ER evaluation for IV fluids and antibiotics |
| Pregnancy with UTI symptoms | Higher-risk infection that can affect pregnancy | No, in-person prenatal or urgent evaluation is needed | Same-day in-person care, especially with fever or back pain |
| History of urinary tract abnormalities or catheters | Complicated UTI risk (structural or device-related) | Often no, depends on details | Needs in-person evaluation and often urine culture and imaging |
| Severe weakness, confusion, or low blood pressure | Possible sepsis from urinary source | No | Call 911 or go to the nearest ER immediately |
Conditions That Can Mimic a UTI
Several other conditions can cause urinary symptoms similar to a UTI. Part of your TeleDirectMD visit is carefully screening for these possibilities and directing you to the right level of care when needed.
- Vaginitis or sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Vaginal discharge, itching, or irritation can cause burning and discomfort that may feel similar to a UTI.
- Urethritis: Inflammation of the urethra, often due to STIs such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, can cause burning without classic bladder symptoms.
- Kidney infection (pyelonephritis): Causes flank pain, fever, and systemic illness, and requires in-person evaluation and often IV antibiotics.
- Kidney or ureteral stones: Can cause severe colicky flank pain, blood in urine, and urinary urgency.
- Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: Chronic bladder pain and urinary frequency without infection; requires longitudinal in-person management.
- Prostatitis in males: Pelvic pain, perineal discomfort, and urinary symptoms that may need in-person exam, prostate evaluation, and culture.
When a Video Visit Is Appropriate vs. When to Go In-Person
When a Video Visit Is Appropriate
- Adult 18–64 with new burning, urgency, and frequency
- No fever, flank pain, or severe systemic symptoms
- Not pregnant or recently pregnant
- No history of kidney disease, transplant, or severe immunosuppression
- No indwelling urinary catheter or complex urologic anatomy
- Prior similar UTIs that responded to oral antibiotics
- Able to drink fluids and keep medications down
- Physically located in California at the time of the video visit
Red Flags Requiring In-Person or ER Care
- Fever ≥ 100.4°F, chills, or feeling very ill
- Flank or back pain near the kidneys
- Nausea, vomiting, or inability to take oral medications
- Pregnancy or recently postpartum with urinary symptoms
- Known kidney stones, single kidney, or kidney transplant
- Blood in urine with clots or persistent heavy hematuria
- History of recurrent complicated UTIs or multidrug-resistant bacteria
- Confusion, low blood pressure, or signs of sepsis
Treatment Options for Adult UTIs
For uncomplicated bladder infections in otherwise healthy, non-pregnant adults, oral antibiotics are highly effective. At TeleDirectMD, MDs follow established antibiotic-stewardship principles: using the shortest effective course, avoiding broad-spectrum agents when narrow-spectrum options work, and reserving fluoroquinolones for higher-risk situations that cannot be managed via telehealth.
Supportive Care
- Adequate hydration to help flush bacteria from the urinary tract
- Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen (if safe for you)
- Avoiding bladder irritants such as caffeine, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners during acute symptoms
Evidence-Based Antibiotic Options (Example Regimens)
The exact medication and duration will depend on your allergy history, prior cultures, kidney function, and local resistance patterns. Examples of common first-line options for uncomplicated cystitis in adults include:
| Medication | Dose | Duration | When used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals | 100 mg by mouth twice daily | 5 days | First-line for uncomplicated cystitis in non-pregnant adults with normal kidney function |
| Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) DS | 800 mg/160 mg by mouth twice daily | 3 days | Alternative when local resistance is low and no sulfa allergy |
| Cephalexin | 500 mg by mouth four times daily | 5–7 days | Option for patients who cannot take first-line agents and have no severe beta-lactam allergy |
| Fosfomycin tromethamine | 3 g by mouth once | Single dose | Alternative regimen in select uncomplicated cases, guided by MD judgment and availability |
| Phenazopyridine (symptom relief) | 200 mg by mouth three times daily | Up to 2 days | Short-term adjunct for urinary burning, used with but not instead of antibiotics |
TeleDirectMD does not use fluoroquinolones as first-line therapy for uncomplicated cystitis due to safety concerns and stewardship guidelines. If your symptoms or history suggest a complicated infection, we will direct you to in-person care instead of prescribing broader-spectrum medications by telehealth.
Home Care, Recovery, and Return to Work
Most adults with uncomplicated UTIs begin to feel improvement within 24–48 hours after starting appropriate antibiotics. Mild burning or frequency can linger for a short time as the bladder lining heals.
- Take your antibiotic exactly as prescribed and finish the full course, even if you feel better sooner.
- Drink plenty of fluids unless you have been told to restrict fluids for another condition.
- Avoid holding urine for long periods; empty your bladder regularly.
- Avoid sexual activity until symptoms improve; consider urinating after sex to reduce recurrence risk.
- Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen (if safe for you) for discomfort or low-grade fever.
Most people can continue working or return to work once symptoms are controlled and they feel well enough, provided they have no fever, severe pain, or systemic illness. TeleDirectMD can provide a brief work note when medically appropriate as part of your $49 visit.
Seek in-person care or emergency evaluation if you develop new fever, flank pain, vomiting, worsening weakness, or if your symptoms fail to improve within 48–72 hours of starting antibiotics.
What to Expect From Your TeleDirectMD Visit
TeleDirectMD provides adult-only, MD-only virtual urgent care for uncomplicated conditions such as bladder infections. Visits are conducted by secure video, last about 10–15 minutes, and cost $49 as a flat cash fee with no insurance involvement. During your UTI visit, the MD will review your symptoms, medical history, medications, and red flags to decide whether a telehealth prescription is safe.
If your case meets criteria for uncomplicated cystitis and no red flags are present, we can send an electronic prescription for an appropriate antibiotic and symptom-relief medication to your preferred local pharmacy in California. If you need in-person evaluation, labs, or imaging instead, we will explain why and guide you on the safest next step.
We do not prescribe controlled substances, long-term pain medications, or complex urologic regimens by telehealth.
UTI Treatment FAQ
Can a UTI really be treated safely online?
Yes. Many uncomplicated bladder infections in healthy, non-pregnant adults can be safely managed by telehealth. TeleDirectMD MDs confirm classic UTI symptoms, rule out vaginal or STI causes, screen for kidney infection or sepsis, and ensure no high-risk conditions are present before prescribing. If anything suggests a more serious infection, you will be directed to in-person care instead of receiving antibiotics online.
How do you know if my UTI is uncomplicated?
An uncomplicated UTI occurs in an otherwise healthy, non-pregnant adult without structural urinary tract abnormalities, catheters, kidney disease, or major immunosuppression. TeleDirectMD uses guideline-based criteria around age, sex, pregnancy status, chronic conditions, and symptoms such as fever or flank pain to determine if telehealth treatment is appropriate.
Do I need a urine test before starting antibiotics?
In classic, straightforward cases of uncomplicated cystitis, guidelines allow treatment based on symptoms alone without immediate urine testing. For atypical histories, recurrent infections, or higher-risk patients, TeleDirectMD may recommend in-person urine analysis and culture instead of or in addition to empiric antibiotics.
How quickly will I feel better after starting treatment?
Many adults notice improvement in burning and urgency within 24–48 hours of starting an effective antibiotic, though full resolution can take several more days. Lack of improvement after 48–72 hours, or any worsening, should prompt in-person re-evaluation.
Which antibiotics do you usually prescribe for a UTI?
TeleDirectMD typically uses first-line agents such as nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or cephalexin for uncomplicated UTIs, adjusting for allergies, kidney function, and prior culture results. Fluoroquinolones are avoided as first-line drugs for routine bladder infections to support antibiotic stewardship and minimize side effects.
Can you treat UTIs in men by video?
Urinary symptoms in men are more likely to be complicated or related to prostatitis, stones, or other conditions. In select low-risk situations, TeleDirectMD may offer limited bridge care, but many cases require in-person evaluation, examination, and urine testing, so you may be directed to in-person care instead of receiving antibiotics by telehealth.
Is telehealth UTI treatment safe during pregnancy?
UTIs during pregnancy carry higher risks and require in-person evaluation, testing, and close follow-up. TeleDirectMD does not manage UTIs in pregnant patients and advises urgent in-person care with an obstetric or primary care team.
What if I keep getting recurrent UTIs?
Recurrent UTIs, especially three or more in one year, require a more detailed workup that often includes labs, imaging, and sometimes urology consultation. TeleDirectMD can provide initial guidance, but long-term prevention plans and evaluation for structural causes are best handled with in-person clinicians.
Can you give me a work note for a UTI?
When symptoms significantly affect your ability to work, TeleDirectMD can provide a brief work note as part of the $49 visit, typically for a short period aligned with symptom severity. The service does not include completion of long-term disability, FMLA, or complex occupational paperwork.
What if I start to feel worse after my telehealth visit?
New fever, flank pain, vomiting, confusion, or feeling much sicker after a UTI visit may indicate kidney infection or sepsis and should prompt immediate in-person or emergency care. Persistent mild symptoms without improvement after 48–72 hours also warrant in-person re-evaluation and urine testing.
Which states do you serve for online UTI treatment?
TeleDirectMD currently serves adults located in California and in more than 25 additional states, offering MD-only video visits for uncomplicated conditions such as UTIs. During booking, you will confirm that you are physically located in a licensed state at the time of your visit.