Drink plenty of water to help flush bacteria from the urinary tract
Urinate regularly; don’t hold urine
Use heat therapy (warm compress or heating pad) on the lower abdomen or back for discomfort
Follow your clinician’s instructions and complete the full course of antibiotics if prescribed
Take pain relief as directed (for example, acetaminophen or ibuprofen, if safe for you)
Consider a urinary pain reliever (for example, phenazopyridine) only as directed and only for short-term symptom relief
Avoid bladder irritants while symptoms are present (caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, acidic drinks)
Maintain good hygiene (wipe front to back, keep the genital area clean and dry)
Urinate after sex and practice safe sex to reduce recurrence
Avoid using spermicides or diaphragms if they contribute to recurrence
For constipation, treat promptly, since it can worsen urinary symptoms
If you have risk factors (frequent UTIs, recurrent episodes), ask a clinician about prevention options such as:
Post-coital or daily prophylactic antibiotics (if appropriate)
Vaginal estrogen for postmenopausal people (if appropriate)
Targeted non-antibiotic prevention strategies (as advised)
Seek urgent care or emergency evaluation if you have:
Fever, chills, flank/back pain, nausea or vomiting
Blood in urine that is significant or worsening
Symptoms in a pregnant person
Symptoms in a male with UTI signs
Symptoms that rapidly worsen or do not improve within 24–48 hours after starting treatment
Get a urine test (urinalysis and culture if needed) before antibiotics when possible, especially for recurrent or complicated cases