Overview

A urinary tract infection (UTI) can occur anywhere in your urinary tract, which includes:

• Ureters. These are two thin, hose-like tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
• Bladder. This is where urine is stored.
• Urethra. The urethra is a single tube emptying your bladder of urine.
• Kidneys. These collect the waste and extra water needed to make urine.
• Prostate. Present in men, the prostate adds fluid to semen.

When you have a UTI, usually the bladder's lining and urethra become irritated. You may feel pain in your abdomen and pelvic area and may feel like you need to urinate often.

The structure of the urinary tract is designed to protect you from infection. The flow of urine helps clear the body of bacteria. Any problem with the urinary tract, such as a kidney stone or a birth defect, can make you vulnerable to infection. A UTI may cause temporary incontinence, which means your body leaks urine.

Women are more likely than men to have UTIs, which are one of the most common bacterial infections. One in five women develop at least one UTI in her lifetime. Children are also affected, with 3 percent of girls and 1 percent of boys developing a UTI by age 11. Infants, too, can develop UTIs. UTIs in men are less common, but just as serious.

Many women suffer from recurring, or frequent, infections. About 20 percent of women who have one UTI will have another. Thirty percent have more than two, and the rest have more than three in their lifetime. A pregnant woman with a UTI is more likely to have an infection that travels to the kidneys. This is caused by hormonal changes and change in position of the urinary tract because of the fetus.

Prognosis

UTIs are serious infections that should be treated by a doctor. If not, the infection can travel to the bladder and kidneys. Most cases of UTIs are easily treatable.

More on Urinary Tract Infection

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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.