What Is a Urinary Tract Infection?

A urinary tract infection can cause pain and serious discomfort. Anyone can get a UTI, but women, especially women with diabetes, are more susceptible than men. Other higher-risk groups include people who are immunocompromised and those with structural abnormalities of their urinary tract.

Definition

• A UTI is most commonly a bacterial infection of any part of the urinary tract, including the urethra, bladder or kidneys.

Cause

• Bacteria cause a urinary tract infection by entering through the urethra, overwhelming your immune system and beginning to grow.

Symptoms

• The most common symptoms of a urinary tract infection are a frequent need to urinate, and burning or itching during urination.

Treatment

• Doctors usually prescribe a brief course of oral antibiotics for treatment of a UTI. In some cases an antibiotic injection or IV antibiotics may be prescribed.

Complications

• Usually a urinary tract infection is easily treated, but sometimes a widespread life-threatening infection or permanent kidney damage may occur.