A urinary tract infection, commonly called a UTI, occurs when germs infect part of the urinary system. The urinary tract includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Most UTIs affect the bladder or urethra, but an infection can spread to one or both kidneys.
Most UTIs are caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract. Common symptoms include burning during urination, needing to urinate frequently or urgently, lower abdominal discomfort, and cloudy or bloody urine. UTIs are generally treated with antibiotics selected by a healthcare provider.
Urinary Tract Infection Basics – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Provides an overview of UTI symptoms, risk factors, treatment, and prevention.
Bladder Infection in Adults – National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Explains bladder infections, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
UTIs are common and can affect people of any age or sex. They occur more frequently in women because the urethra is shorter and closer to areas where bacteria normally live. MedlinePlus reports that women develop UTIs about four times as often as men.
The risk may be higher in people who:
Prolonged urinary-catheter use is an important risk factor for catheter-associated UTIs.
Symptoms depend on which part of the urinary tract is affected.
Common bladder or lower urinary tract symptoms include:
Symptoms suggesting that the infection may have reached a kidney include:
A kidney infection can become serious if it is not treated promptly.
Older adults may sometimes have less typical symptoms, but confusion by itself does not always mean that a UTI is present. Other possible causes should also be evaluated.
A healthcare provider will review the symptoms, medical history, medications, and risk factors.
The provider may ask:
The physical examination may include checking temperature, hydration, abdominal tenderness, and tenderness over the kidneys.
Most UTIs occur when bacteria enter through the urethra and multiply in the bladder. Bacteria from the bowel are a common source.
Factors that may contribute include:
A UTI is not usually considered a sexually transmitted infection. However, sexual activity can move bacteria toward the urethra, and some sexually transmitted infections can cause similar urinary symptoms.
Factors that may worsen symptoms or increase the risk of complications include:
Untreated bladder infections may spread to the kidneys. Severe kidney infections can occasionally lead to bloodstream infection or sepsis.
Not every UTI can be prevented, but helpful measures may include:
Evidence for some commonly recommended practices is limited, and recurrent UTIs are not necessarily caused by poor hygiene or personal behavior. Prevention should be individualized.
The following video content is provided to help you better understand this condition. These resources are intended for educational purposes and should not replace personalized medical advice from your healthcare provider.
Urine testing is commonly used to help diagnose a UTI.
Possible laboratory tests include:
A urine culture may be especially helpful for recurrent infections, pregnancy, infections in men, kidney infections, severe symptoms, recent antibiotic use, or symptoms that do not improve. Diagnosis should consider symptoms as well as urine-test results.
Bacteria in the urine without UTI symptoms usually does not require antibiotics, except in certain situations such as pregnancy or before selected urinary procedures.
Most uncomplicated bladder infections do not require imaging.
Possible tests for complicated, severe, or repeated infections include:
Imaging may be considered when there is severe flank pain, repeated kidney infections, suspected stones, urinary blockage, unusual organisms, or symptoms that do not improve with treatment.
Bacterial UTIs are generally treated with antibiotics. The exact medication and length of treatment depend on the infection location, urine-culture results, allergies, pregnancy status, kidney function, sex, previous infections, and local antibiotic-resistance patterns.
Treatment may include:
Symptoms often begin improving after antibiotic treatment starts. Contact the healthcare provider if symptoms worsen or do not begin improving as expected.
Helpful habits include:
Water is generally the best fluid for maintaining hydration.
Possible medications include:
Important medication guidance:
The healthcare provider should determine whether antibiotics are needed and which antibiotic is appropriate.
Most UTIs do not require a procedure.
Procedures may be necessary when an underlying problem contributes to infection, such as:
A urinary obstruction combined with infection can become an emergency because infected urine cannot drain normally.
Most uncomplicated bladder infections improve completely with appropriate treatment. Symptoms often improve soon after antibiotics are started, although the full course should be taken as directed.
Some people develop repeated UTIs. Recurrent infections may require:
Kidney infections generally require longer or more intensive treatment than simple bladder infections. Delayed treatment increases the risk of complications.
Home care should support—but not replace—medical treatment when a bacterial UTI is suspected.
Helpful measures include:
Cranberry products may help prevent some recurrent UTIs, but evidence is mixed. They should not be used as a replacement for antibiotics when an active bacterial infection is present. NIDDK notes that some research suggests cranberry products may help with prevention.
A bladder infection is one type of UTI. UTIs may also affect the urethra, ureters, or kidneys.
Some mild symptoms may improve, but a suspected bacterial UTI should be medically assessed. Delaying treatment may allow the infection to spread to the kidneys.
Yes. Some people mainly experience urgency, frequent urination, lower abdominal pressure, or blood in the urine.
No. Urine odor may change because of dehydration, foods, vitamins, or medications. Odor alone does not confirm infection.
No. Cloudiness may result from dehydration, crystals, vaginal discharge, or other causes. Symptoms and testing help determine whether infection is present.
Sexual activity may move bacteria toward the urethra and increase UTI risk, but UTIs are generally not sexually transmitted infections.
Yes. UTIs are less common in men, so evaluation may include checking for urinary retention, prostate problems, stones, or another contributing condition.
UTIs during pregnancy require prompt medical care because they are associated with kidney infection and pregnancy complications.
No. Cranberry products do not reliably treat an active bacterial infection and should not replace prescribed antibiotics.
Possible reasons include reinfection, resistant bacteria, sexual activity, menopause-related changes, urinary retention, stones, catheter use, diabetes, or structural urinary problems.
A severe infection may contribute to confusion, especially in an older or medically vulnerable person. However, confusion has many possible causes and should not automatically be diagnosed as a UTI without an appropriate assessment.
Consider asking:
Which symptoms require urgent medical attention?
Most uncomplicated UTIs can be managed by a primary care, urgent care, or women’s health provider.
You may be referred to:
Yes. Most bacterial UTIs are curable with an appropriate antibiotic.
Repeated infections can usually be managed, but the healthcare provider may need to identify contributing factors such as urinary retention, stones, catheter use, menopause-related changes, diabetes, or structural urinary problems.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria may require a different medication based on urine-culture results.
Call 911 or seek emergency medical care immediately for:
Seek urgent same-day medical care for:
Fever, chills, vomiting, and back or side pain may indicate a kidney infection and require prompt treatment.
CALL 911
APNS does not provide emergency medical services. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, including (but not limited to) chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, severe allergic reactions, anaphylaxis, uncontrolled bleeding, seizures, loss of consciousness, or any other potentially life-threatening condition, you are instructed to call 911 immediately or go immediately to the nearest emergency department.
Urinary Tract Infection Basics – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Provides information about UTI symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, antibiotics, and prevention.
Bladder Infection in Adults – National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Explains bladder-infection symptoms, causes, testing, treatment, and prevention.
Urinary Tract Infections – NIH MedlinePlus
Provides patient-friendly information about UTIs, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment.
Kidney Infection – National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Explains kidney-infection symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and possible complications.
Urinary Tract Infections – American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Provides information about UTIs in women, including treatment, prevention, recurrent infections, and pregnancy considerations.
This guide is intended for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice, diagnosis, urine testing, or treatment from your healthcare provider. Urinary burning, urgency, frequency, pelvic pain, blood in the urine, or abnormal urine may be caused by a UTI, kidney stone, sexually transmitted infection, vaginal condition, prostate problem, medication, or another condition requiring different treatment. Do not take leftover antibiotics or another person’s medication. Antibiotic selection should consider allergies, pregnancy, kidney function, previous culture results, and local antibiotic resistance. Seek prompt medical care for fever, chills, back or side pain, vomiting, inability to urinate, pregnancy with urinary symptoms, worsening symptoms, or failure to improve after beginning treatment. Call 911 immediately for severe confusion, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, signs of shock, or another medical emergency.
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