Can you catch urinary tract infection

However, the infection itself is not contagious. Having sex can increase the risk of developing a UTI. Escherichia coli bacteria, which typically live in the bowels, can travel from the anus to the urethra or the opening of the penis during anal sex.

Vaginal sex can push bacteria on the skin into the urethral opening, which may increase the risk of a UTI.

Most UTIs occur when bacteria, such as E. Coli , enter the urinary tract. A UTI can develop in the bladder, urethra, or ureters. If a person does not receive treatment, the infection can move up the urinary tract and infect the kidneys. Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis can infect the urethra, causing swelling and resulting in a condition called urethritis.

Learn more about STIs and their symptoms here. Most of these UTIs are bladder infections. Females have a higher risk of developing UTIs because they have shorter urethras than males. As a result, bacteria have a shorter distance to cover to reach other parts of the urinary tract.

People with diabetes also have a higher risk of UTIs. In a study , researchers observed a higher incidence of UTIs among people with uncontrolled blood sugar, especially in adults over 40 years old. Although all three conditions are similar, learn the differences between overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, and UTI, including what causes each. Do you have a bladder infection? Learn about seven remedies for bladder infections that can ease symptoms and get rid of the infection.

Some of these…. Practicing safe sex is crucial to the prevention of sexually transmitted infections. Learn more. Does drinking cranberry juice actually help treat UTIs or reduce your risk of getting one? This article separates the myths from the science. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Janet Brito, Ph. It may cause pain and exacerbate other symptoms.

It can introduce new bacteria. 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. With this type of UTI, a person often has back pain, high fever, and vomiting. The most common type of UTI is cystitis.

These mostly just cause discomfort and inconvenience. Bladder infections can be quickly and easily treated. And it's important to get treatment promptly to avoid the more serious infection that reaches the kidneys. UTIs usually happen because bacteria enter the urethra, then make their way up into the bladder and cause an infection. Girls get UTIs much more often than guys, most likely due to differences in the shape and length of the urethra. Girls have shorter urethras than guys, and the opening lies closer to the anus where poop comes out and the vagina, where bacteria are likely to be.

Bacteria can get into the urethra several ways. During sex, for example, bacteria in the vaginal area may be pushed into the urethra and eventually end up in the bladder, where pee provides a good environment for the bacteria to grow. This is why females who are sexually active often get UTIs.

UTIs are not contagious, so you can't catch a urinary tract infection from someone else. Bacteria may also get into a girl's bladder if she wipes from back to front after a bowel movement BM , which can contaminate the urethral opening.

The use of spermicides including condoms treated with spermicide and diaphragms as contraceptives also may increase the risk of UTIs.

This is due to the inflammation and irritation of the urethra or vagina that's sometimes associated with chlamydia and other STDs. Some people seem to get frequent UTIs, but they often have other problems that make them more likely to get an infection, like a problem in the urinary tract structures or function.

The most common functional problem of the urinary tract is vesicoureteral reflux pronounced: veh-zi-coe-you-REE-tur-al , a condition in which some pee flows backward, or refluxes, from the bladder into the ureters and even up to the kidneys. If you have any symptoms of a UTI, you'll need to go to a doctor right away.