How do urinary tract infections happen
It is important to seek medical attention if you think you may have a UTI — particularly if you think you may have a bladder or kidney infection, both of which are very serious conditions. Early treatment of urinary infection can help to prevent infection spreading to the bladder or kidneys.
Your doctor will test your urine to check which micro-organism is present. Urinary tract infections usually respond quickly and well to antibiotics. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Anthrax is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial disease that occasionally infects humans. The Western obsession with cleanliness may be partly responsible for the increase in allergic asthma and conditions such as rhinitis.
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Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Risk factors specific to women for UTIs include:. When treated promptly and properly, lower urinary tract infections rarely lead to complications. But left untreated, a urinary tract infection can have serious consequences. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version.
This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Female urinary system Open pop-up dialog box Close. Female urinary system Your urinary system — which includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra — removes waste from your body through urine.
Male urinary system Open pop-up dialog box Close. Male urinary system Your urinary system — which includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra — removes waste from your body through urine. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Wein AJ, et al. Infections of the urinary tract. In: Campbell-Walsh Urology. Philadelphia, Pa. Accessed June 30, Ferri FF.
Urinary tract infection. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Bladder infection urinary tract infection—UTI in adults. Urinary tract infections UTIs. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Recurrent or long-lasting kidney infections can cause permanent damage, and some sudden kidney infections can be life-threatening, particularly if bacteria enter the bloodstream in a condition known as septicemia.
They can also increase the risk of women delivering infants that are premature or have a low birth weight. Individuals are advised to contact a doctor if they develop the symptoms of a UTI, especially if they have developed the symptoms of a potential kidney infection.
Diagnosis will usually be made after asking about the symptoms and testing a urine sample to assess the presence of white blood cells, red blood cells, and bacteria. This requires that a person wash their genital area before providing a urine sample mid-flow. This helps to prevent bacteria from around the genital area getting caught in the sample.
If a person has recurrent UTIs, a doctor may request further diagnostic testing to determine if anatomical issues or functional issues are to blame.
Such tests may include:. UTIs in men are rare. The incidence for men under the age of 50 years is between 5 and 8 men in every 10, The risk of infection increases with age. For men, however, the prostate is also at risk of infection.
A man with a circumcised penis is less likely to get a UTI that a man who has not undergone circumcision. As UTIs are normally caused by bacteria, they are most commonly treated with antibiotics or antimicrobials. The type of medication and length of treatment will depend on the symptoms and medical history of the individual.
The full course of treatment should always be completed for UTIs to make sure that the infection is fully clear, and to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance. UTI symptoms can disappear before the infection has completely gone. Drinking lots of fluids and frequently urinating are always recommended for people who have UTIs as this helps to flush out the bacteria. A variety of pain relief medications may be prescribed to alleviate pain.
Applying a heating pad to the back or abdomen can also help. An uncomplicated UTI is one that occurs in an otherwise healthy person with a normal clear urinary tract. These can usually be cured with 2 to 3 days of treatment. A complicated UTI is one that occurs in a person who is weakened by another condition, such as pregnancy or heart transplant. Complicated UTIs tend to require longer periods of antibiotics, usually between 7 to 14 days. To cure a UTI that is caused by problems within the urinary system, the underlying issue needs to be found and corrected.
If left untreated, these infections can lead to kidney damage.