OverviewA urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary system. The urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra. Show Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than are men. If an infection is limited to the bladder, it can be painful and annoying. But serious health problems can result if a UTI spreads to the kidneys. Health care providers often treat urinary tract infections with antibiotics. You can also take steps to lower the chance of getting a UTI in the first place. SymptomsUTIs don't always cause symptoms. When they do, they may include:
In older adults, UTIs may be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions. Types of urinary tract infectionsEach type of UTI may result in more-specific symptoms. The symptoms depend on which part of the urinary tract is affected.
When to see a doctorContact your health care provider if you have symptoms of a UTI. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips
and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected
health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. CausesUTIs typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to spread in the bladder. The urinary system is designed to keep out bacteria. But the defenses sometimes fail. When that happens, bacteria may take hold and grow into a full-blown infection in the urinary tract. The most common UTIs occur mainly in women and affect the bladder and urethra.
Risk factorsUTIs are common in women. Many women experience more than one UTI during their lifetimes. Risk factors for UTIs that are specific to women include:
Other risk factors for UTIs include:
ComplicationsWhen treated promptly and properly, lower urinary tract infections rarely lead to complications. But left untreated, UTIs can cause serious health problems. Complications of a UTI may include:
PreventionThese steps may help lower the risk of UTIs:
Urinary tract infection (UTI) care at Mayo Clinic Sept. 14, 2022
RelatedNews from Mayo ClinicProducts & ServicesWhat are the signs of a bladder infection in a woman?Symptoms of a bladder infection can include:. Pain or burning while urinating.. Frequent urination.. Feeling the need to urinate despite having an empty bladder.. Bloody urine.. Pressure or cramping in the groin or lower abdomen.. How do you get bladder infection?Most of the time a bladder infection is caused by bacteria that are normally found in your bowel. The bladder has several systems to prevent infection. For example, urination most often flushes out bacteria before it reaches the bladder. Sometimes your body can't fight the bacteria and the bacteria cause an infection.
What does the beginning of a bladder infection feel like?The irritation can cause pain in your lower abdomen pelvic area and even lower back, and will usually make you feel like urinating more often. Burning or pain when urinating is the most common symptom. You may even feel a strong urge or need to urinate but only get a few drops.
|