Peeing should not burn

Text an AI doctor about UTI symptoms, what helps now, and whether you need antibiotics. Know what you can handle yourself and when to see someone in person.

Ask a free AI doctor by text

Free for UMich students.

Care on campus at UMich

Most U-M University Health & Counseling medical services are free for students and not billed to insurance; urgent illness and injury visits can be self-scheduled in the patient portal.

Health center:: University Health & Counseling (UHC Medical Services, formerly University Health Service), 207 Fletcher Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Phone:: 734-764-8320
Hours:: Mon-Wed 8am-5pm, Thu 9am-5pm, Fri 8am-4:30pm, Sat 9am-12pm (reduced in spring/summer)
After hours:: Free 24/7 nurse advice: 734-764-8320
Booking:: Appointments required (in-person and virtual); self-schedule urgent illness/injury visits, contraceptive care, mental health evaluations and preventive visits in the patient portal
If it's urgent:: Nearest ER: Michigan Medicine, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive (21+: 734-936-6666; under 21: Mott Children's Hospital, 1540 East Hospital Drive)

What changes the answer

Most UTIs stay simple. Some do not. Get seen the same day if any of these show up:

Fever or chills

Pain in your back or side, up under the ribs

Vomiting

Blood in your pee

You are pregnant or might be

This is your second or third one this year

Those can mean the infection is moving toward your kidneys, and that is a same day visit, not a wait and see. Not sure? Text in and we will sort it with you.

What helps right now

Drink water. Pee when you need to, since holding it makes things worse. Skip coffee, alcohol, and anything spicy until it settles. A heating pad on your lower belly takes the edge off.

Cranberry products are fine to try, but they do not treat an infection that has already started. If the burning is still there tomorrow, or it is getting worse, that is your cue to get care.

What a visit looks like

Usually a quick urine test and a short conversation. If it is bacterial, antibiotics clear most UTIs within a few days. At U-M, that is University Health and Counseling. Appointments are required for medical clinic visits, and telehealth is available.

Rather not leave your dorm? Start with a text consult first. In a few messages we can tell you whether you need the visit at all, and what to ask for when you go.

Peeing should not burn

Care on campus at UMich

What changes the answer

What helps right now

What a visit looks like

Something else on your mind