Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the urinary tract which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.

Urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria that enters the urethra and then the bladder. if left untreated, the bacteria can spread to the kidneys and cause more problems.

Since women's urethra is shorter and closer to the anus than in men, women are more likely to develop UTI's. There are many factors that may increase one's risk for developing an urinary tract infection.

Most of the time, your body can rid of these bacteria, but some people may need to be prescribed antibiotics in order to treat their UTI.

About one in five women who get UTIs will get another UTI.

Urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria that enters the urethra and then the bladder. The bacteria can enter by any of the following ways:

• Wiping from back to front after a bowel movement.
• Having sexual intercourse, because germs in the vagina can be pushed into the urethra.
• Waiting too long to urinate. When urine stays in the bladder for a long time, more germs are made, and the worse a UTI can become.
• Using a diaphragm for birth control.
• Using spermicides (creams that kill sperm) with a diaphragm or on a condom.
• Condition which makes it difficult to completely empty your bladder, such as a kidney stone.
• Having diabetes, which makes it harder for your body to fight other health conditions.
• During menopause because their is a loss of estrogen
• Having had a catheter in place. A catheter is a thin tube put through the urethra into the bladder and is used to drain urine during for people who cannot pass urine on their own or during a medical procedure.

See your doctor or pharmacist for burning with urination, frequent urge to go, or cloudy or strong-smelling urine. Seek prompt care for fever, back or flank pain, nausea, or blood in the urine, which can mean the infection has reached the kidneys.