A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that can occur in any part of the urinary system, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra
. Most UTIs are caused by bacteria, especially Escherichia coli (E. coli), which normally live in the bowel but can enter the urinary tract and cause infection
. UTIs are common, particularly in women, with about half of females experiencing a UTI at some point in their lives
. Men and children can also get UTIs, though less frequently
. The most common type of UTI is a bladder infection, known as cystitis
. Symptoms of a UTI include:
- Pain or burning sensation when urinating
- Frequent or urgent need to urinate, sometimes at night
- Cloudy, dark, or strong-smelling urine
- Blood in the urine
- Lower abdominal or back pain
- Fever or chills (especially if the infection spreads to the kidneys)
- In children, irritability, bedwetting, or feeding problems
- In older adults, confusion or changes in behavior may occur
UTIs are usually treated with antibiotics, and prompt treatment helps prevent the infection from spreading to the kidneys, which can cause more serious complications
. In summary, a UTI is a bacterial infection of the urinary tract that causes symptoms related to urination and can affect different parts of the urinary system, most commonly the bladder
