How to discreetly speak to a GP if you think you have suspected UTI

A Urinary Tract Infection, most commonly referred to as a UTI, is an infection to any part of the urinary system which filters your blood to eliminate waste and excess fluid from your body.

UTI’s in children, especially young girls happen when bacteria gets into the bladder or kidneys. A baby with a UTI may have a fever, throw up, or be fussy. Older children may experience a fever, pain when urinating, they may need to urinate more frequently, or they may have pain in the lower belly. It’s important that a child with a UTI is treated by a doctor as the infection will not get better on its own. Taking antibiotics kills the germs and helps children get well again.

In adults, common symptoms of a UTI can include:

• Burning with urination
• Increased frequency of urination without passing much urine
• Increased urgency of urination
• Bloody or cloudy urine
• Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored — signs of blood in the urine
• Strong-smelling urine
• Pelvic pain in women, especially in the center of the pelvis and around the area of the pubic bone

Conditions which are more common in older people such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes can lead to urinary retention or lack of bladder control which increases the risk of UTIs. Older adults may not always show the classic signs of a UTI. They may experience other symptoms, including confusion and lethargy so it is important to speak with a GP.

UTIs can be uncomfortable and painful so when you need to treat a UTI with medication, it can sometimes be an embarrassing experience to describe your symptoms. Most women would prefer to have this conversation discreetly with a GP. If you have a suspected UTI, you can have a discreet and private phone call with a real GP at Our Sage.

Our Sage, allows you to book a telehealth consult with a practicing GP in Australia from the privacy of your home. Consultations are usually available within 30 minutes. An experienced GP is best placed to provide immediate comfort, as well as the appropriate prescription for antibiotics.

Additionally, if you have a valid Medicare card, or you’re a visitor with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement most prescriptions are supported by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Under the PBS, the government subsidises the cost of medicine for most medical conditions.

Importantly, there are several other infectious and non-infectious diseases such as vaginitis, overactive bladder, kidney stones and some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that can cause symptoms that mimic a UTI. It’s important to have recurrent UTI-like symptoms thoroughly investigated by a GP.

If you have any symptoms associated with a UTI or a pre-existing health condition, don’t delay. [Join the queue]https://consult.oursage.com.au) now for an instant telehealth consult with Our Sage.