Urinary Tract Infections

Summary

The urinary system is the body’s drainage system for removing wastes and extra water. It includes two kidneys, two ureters, a bladder, and a urethra. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most common type of infection in the body.

You may have a UTI if you notice:

• Pain or burning when you urinate
• Fever, tiredness, or shakiness
• An urge to urinate often
• Pressure in your lower belly
• Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy or reddish
• Pain in your back or side below the ribs

People of any age or sex can get UTIs. But about four times as many women get UTIs as men. You’re also at higher risk if you have diabetes, need a tube to drain your bladder, or have a spinal cord injury.

If you think you have a UTI it is important to see your doctor. Your doctor can tell if you have a UTI with a urine test. Treatment is with antibiotics.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Patient Handouts

• Asymptomatic bacteriuria Medical Encyclopedia
• Catheter-related UTI Medical Encyclopedia
• Cystitis – acute Medical Encyclopedia
• Leukocyte esterase urine test Medical Encyclopedia
• Urinary tract infection – adults Medical Encyclopedia
• Urinary tract infection – children Medical Encyclopedia
• Urine – bloody Medical Encyclopedia
• Urine culture Medical Encyclopedia

Diagnosis and Tests

• Bacteria Culture Test National Library of Medicine
• Cystoscopy and Ureteroscopy National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Epithelial Cells in Urine National Library of Medicine
• Imaging of the Urinary Tract National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Mucus in Urine National Library of Medicine
• Nitrites in Urine National Library of Medicine

Start Here

• Bladder Infection (Urinary Tract Infection — UTI) in Adults National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Urinary Tract Health Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• Urinary Tract Infection Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health

Children

• Bladder Infection (Urinary Tract Infection — UTI) in Children National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Blood in the Urine (Hematuria) (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
• Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections and Related Conditions (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
• Ultrasound: Renal (Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder) (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
• Urine Tests (For Parents) Nemours Foundation

Related Issues

• Chronic Bladder Infection: Is There a Cure? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• FAQs about Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Pyelonephritis National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Urinary Tract Infections National Institutes of Health

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Cranberry National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Specifics

• Cystitis Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Frequently Asked Questions about Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Kidney Infection Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Encyclopedia

• Cystoscopy Medical Encyclopedia
• Frequent or urgent urination Medical Encyclopedia
• Perirenal abscess Medical Encyclopedia
• Radionuclide cystogram Medical Encyclopedia
• Retrograde cystography Medical Encyclopedia
• Ureteroscopy Medical Encyclopedia
• Urinary casts Medical Encyclopedia
• Urination – painful Medical Encyclopedia
• Urine culture – catheterized specimen Medical Encyclopedia
• Urine odor Medical Encyclopedia
• Urine protein dipstick test Medical Encyclopedia
• Urine protein electrophoresis test Medical Encyclopedia
• Voiding cystourethrogram Medical Encyclopedia

Reference Desk

• Kidneys and Urinary Tract (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
• Urinary Tract and How It Works National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Find an Expert

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Journal Articles

• Urinary Tract Infections

Teenagers

• Urinary Tract Infections (For Teens) Nemours Foundation