At Mayo Clinic, we take the time to listen, to find answers and to provide you the best care.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of your urinary system — your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra.
Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than men are. Infection limited to your bladder can be painful and annoying. However, serious consequences can occur if a UTI spreads to your kidneys.
Antibiotics are the typical treatment for a UTI. But you can take steps to reduce your chance of getting a UTI in the first place.
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Urinary tract infections don't always cause signs and symptoms, but when they do they may include:
UTIs may be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions in older adults.
Each type of UTI may result in more-specific signs and symptoms, depending on which part of your urinary tract is infected.
Contact your doctor if you have signs and symptoms of a UTI.
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Urinary tract infections typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder. Although the urinary system is designed to keep out such microscopic invaders, these defenses sometimes fail. When that happens, bacteria may take hold and grow into a full-blown infection in the urinary tract.
The most common UTIs occur mainly in women and affect the bladder and urethra.
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At Mayo Clinic, we take the time to listen, to find answers and to provide you the best care.
Tests and procedures used to diagnose urinary tract infections include:
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When treated promptly and properly, lower urinary tract infections rarely lead to complications. But left untreated, a urinary tract infection can have serious consequences.
Complications of UTIs may include:
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Take these steps to reduce your risk of urinary tract infections:
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There's some indication, though it hasn't been proved, that cranberry juice may have infection-fighting properties and drinking it daily may help prevent urinary tract infections. Studies have shown the greatest effect in women who have frequent UTIs. Studies involving children and older adults have had mixed results.
It's not clear how much cranberry juice you'd need to drink or how often you'd need to drink it to have an effect.
If you enjoy drinking cranberry juice and feel it helps you prevent UTIs, there's little harm in continuing to drink it, but watch the calories. For most people, drinking cranberry juice is safe, but some people report an upset stomach or diarrhea.
However, don't drink cranberry juice if you're taking the blood-thinning medication warfarin, because this may lead to bleeding.
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Urinary tract infections can be painful, but you can take steps to ease your discomfort until antibiotics clear the infection. Follow these tips:
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Risk factors for urinary tract infections include:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
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