What Is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?
A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), is an infection that affects any part of your Urinary System. This system is responsible for filtering waste products from your blood and expelling them through urine. The main organs involved are the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
UTIs most commonly involve the Bladder (cystitis) or urethra (urethritis). While less frequent, infections can ascend to the ureters or kidneys, which can be more serious. The culprit behind most UTIs is bacteria, often E. coli, which normally lives in the intestines. When these bacteria enter the urethra and travel upwards, they can multiply in the bladder, causing infection and irritation.
Symptoms of a UTI can include a frequent, strong urge to urinate, burning sensation during urination, cloudy or strong-smelling urine, pelvic discomfort, and sometimes, fever or back pain if the infection reaches the kidneys. While UTIs are treatable with antibiotics, it's important to seek medical attention as untreated UTIs can lead to more serious complications, such as kidney infections (pyelonephritis) or sepsis, a life-threatening condition.
