Do I need to go in for a bladder infection?

One mom explains how she quickly got rid of a UTI by getting treatment and a prescription online with virtuwell

When you have a bladder infection (or UTI), every trip to the bathroom can be a pain—literally. Bladder infections often cause painful urination and burning. They can also come with a frequent need to urinate and blood-tinged, cloudy or strong-smelling urine.

The good news? Bladder infections can safely and quickly be treated online. A urine culture is not necessary to treat common bladder infections, as research shows. And in fact, bladder infections are the top condition that we treat at virtuwell.com.

Kelli Martin with her family

As a nurse practitioner for virtuwell.com, I help diagnose and treat people just like my counterparts at a primary care clinic or urgent care do. But when you use virtuwell, your visit is all done online. When it comes to bladder infections, we’ll review your symptoms and can help distinguish a UTI from something more serious.

This is exactly how we recently helped out Kelli Martin. She was out-of-state with her husband and two boys visiting family when she began to notice symptoms. I asked her if she’d mind sharing her experience. Here’s what she had to say:

When did you first start experiencing UTI symptoms? Why did you decide to try virtuwell.com?

We had just arrived at my parents’ house when I noticed the symptoms. But it was late and we needed to put the kids to bed. The next day, I woke up feeling worse. But urgent care wasn’t an option. We had a busy day planned with extended family.

During our drive to meet family at a local farmers market, I opened up virtuwell.com on my phone. I had used the site before and the website even saved my login information. I answered the questions in about 10 minutes. And by the time we walked into the farmers market, I had a text from a nurse practitioner with my treatment plan. She’d sent a prescription to the pharmacy in town where my parents live. So I went to pick it up and within about two hours I was on my way to feeling better and being able to enjoy my trip.

Would you use virtuwell.com again?

Absolutely – especially while traveling! My health insurance doesn’t cover out-of-state providers unless it’s an emergency. And working as a medical receptionist, I know that visits to an emergency room can take hours sometimes. I wouldn’t want to miss out on time spent with family for a common condition like a UTI. It’s the simplest way to get care, and spend time enjoying your vacation. It’s a no-brainer.

What would you say to someone who is considering using online care, but hasn’t yet?

Why suffer? For me, finding time to take care of my health isn’t always easy. But whether you’re at the office or watching your child’s baseball practice, it’s easy to access virtuwell.com and get the care you need.

It’s great to hear stories like Kelli’s. Helping a busy mom get back to enjoying her vacation is extremely rewarding. And it’s just one of the many reasons I love providing online care.

About Gwen Verchota, PhD, APRN-BC

Gwen Verchota is the Care Delivery Manager at HealthPartners’ online clinic, virtuwell.com. She's a leader in creating safe, effective online treatment plans. And she loves leading a team of nurse practitioners that’s passionate about providing convenient, personalized care. Outside of work, you’ll find Gwen golfing, downhill skiing and cheering on the Minnesota Wild with her husband and two kids. She can’t wait to get her kayak out on the lake at the cabin they’re building in Walker, Minn.

Kelli Martin with her family

When did you first start experiencing UTI symptoms? Why did you decide to try virtuwell.com?

We had just arrived at my parents’ house when I noticed the symptoms. But it was late and we needed to put the kids to bed. The next day, I woke up feeling worse. But urgent care wasn’t an option. We had a busy day planned with extended family.

During our drive to meet family at a local farmers market, I opened up virtuwell.com on my phone. I had used the site before and the website even saved my login information. I answered the questions in about 10 minutes. And by the time we walked into the farmers market, I had a text from a nurse practitioner with my treatment plan. She’d sent a prescription to the pharmacy in town where my parents live. So I went to pick it up and within about two hours I was on my way to feeling better and being able to enjoy my trip.

Would you use virtuwell.com again?

Absolutely – especially while traveling! My health insurance doesn’t cover out-of-state providers unless it’s an emergency. And working as a medical receptionist, I know that visits to an emergency room can take hours sometimes. I wouldn’t want to miss out on time spent with family for a common condition like a UTI. It’s the simplest way to get care, and spend time enjoying your vacation. It’s a no-brainer.

What would you say to someone who is considering using online care, but hasn’t yet?

Why suffer? For me, finding time to take care of my health isn’t always easy. But whether you’re at the office or watching your child’s baseball practice, it’s easy to access virtuwell.com and get the care you need.

It’s great to hear stories like Kelli’s. Helping a busy mom get back to enjoying her vacation is extremely rewarding. And it’s just one of the many reasons I love providing online care.