‘Woke Up with UTI Symptoms: Now what?’ campaign highlights importance of quick, accessible care options
This International Women’s Day (IWD), Avvy Health is highlighting the importance of women having timely access to care for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs).
Avvy is the first Canadian app to connect patients with qualified healthcare practitioners who will drive to their residence or workplace and provide a range of services. Available for both iPhone and Android users, Avvy launched in Montreal in February 2022 and has expanded rapidly to include Montreal’s surrounding areas and Quebec City.
With the Avvy app and a requisition from your doctor, you can book a nurse to come to your home or office for a blood and urine test.
How do UTIs affect people?
UTIs are the most common bacterial infection in women, with half of adult women experiencing at least one urinary tract infection in her lifetime (Globe). According to the Kidney Foundation, UTIs cause over 500,000 trips to a doctor’s office each year (link). UTIs can also affect men, children, the elderly and the immunocompromised.
UTI symptoms can be very uncomfortable, and may include:
- Pain or a burning sensation when urinating (dysuria)
- Experiencing the sudden urge to run to the bathroom to avoid having an accident
- Feeling like you constantly have to pee, but only passing small amounts of urine
- Dark, cloudy, or foul-smelling urine
- Discomfort in your pelvic region (for women)
Access to UTI treatment counts
Most urinary tract infections are diagnosable and treatable. Your family doctor or walk-in clinic physician may require you to get an in-person urine sample before prescribing medication. That’s where Avvy comes in.
“Home blood and urine tests are part of our core service offering. When you’re experiencing pain and discomfort, nobody wants to scour websites and call around town to see who can see you to draw blood and take a urine sample,” said Sarah Haji Jussab, nurse coordinator for Avvy. “We believe care should always be accessible and flexible: Avvy is committed to providing more options for busy people.”
While urinary tract infections sometimes go away on their own after a few days, not all do. Untreated urinary tract infections have the potential to cause a number of complications, including sepsis, a potentially fatal condition. “It’s best to seek treatment right away, both for your own relief and to take care of your long-term health, says Hussab.
Flexibility for older people and those living in care communities
Remote booking with the Avvy app also gives more flexibility and convenience to people caring for older relatives who may be prone to repeated UTI infections.
“I saw how prevalent and painful UTIs can be during the last few years of my grandmother’s life,” said Elizabeth Monier-Williams, Avvy’s VP of Marketing. “She also had severe mobility issues. Booking an Avvy nurse for a blood and urine test at the care facility where she was living would have been a huge advantage for my family. It also would have kept us out of the emergency room on several occasions. Knowing that personal history, it’s exciting to be in the position to offer better tools to other families.”
About Avvy Health
Avvy is the first mobile app to connect qualified healthcare providers with Canadians looking to access healthcare services from the comfort and safety of home. The company’s mission is to deliver a seamless, safe and secure experience for both patients and providers. Avvy is currently available across Greater Montreal and Quebec City, with plans to expand to other Canadian cities. Users can download the app for both Apple and Android smartphones. Vist avvyapp.com to learn more about our services.
Media Contact
Sabrina Atwal
Avvy Media Relations
sabrina.atwal@avvyapp.com