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Condition8 min read

Urinary tract infection

UTI

Organ or systemKidneysOrgan
Detail level

A bacterial infection of part of the urinary system, most often the bladder, sometimes reaching the kidneys. Symptoms include burning or pain when urinating, frequent urination, and cloudy or bloody urine. It is diagnosed with a urine test and usually treated with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor.

MedlinePlus describes urinary tract infection as the second most common type of infection in the body, with women four times more affected than men, and it increases with diabetes, urinary catheters and spinal cord injuries. According to the CDC it occurs when bacteria, often from the skin or rectum, enter the urethra and infect the urinary tract. Symptoms of a kidney infection (fever, chills, lower back or side pain, nausea and vomiting) call for medical assessment.

MedlinePlus states that diagnosis is by a urine test and treatment is with antibiotics. The CDC stresses that the antibiotic is prescribed by a healthcare provider, that all doses should be taken as prescribed without sharing them, that using antibiotics unnecessarily may cause severe allergy, resistant infection and C. difficile infection, and that most people with bacteria in the urine without symptoms do not need treatment. The NHS states that in older people or those with catheters, symptoms may be a change in behaviour or confusion.

In one minute123

What is it?
A bacterial infection of the bladder, urethra or kidneys.
Who is usually affected?
Women four times more than men; people with diabetes, those with a catheter or spinal cord injury, and pregnant women.
Acute or chronic?
Usually treated with a prescription antibiotic; it may reach the kidneys and need faster assessment.
Main symptoms
Burning on urination, frequent urination, cloudy or bloody urine, lower abdominal pain, and sometimes fever and back pain.
Red flags?
Yes: confusion, drowsiness or difficulty speaking, or fever and chills with back or side pain and vomiting.
Preventable?
The NHS mentions wiping front to back, drinking fluids, avoiding scented soap, cotton underwear, and avoiding spermicides.

What is it?

Drawing of the urinary bladder with the ureters and the urethra
The urinary bladder with the ureters (top) and the urethra (bottom) — parts of the urinary tract an infection can reach.Educational illustration (AI-generated) — not a medical image

According to MedlinePlus: the urinary system is the body's drainage system for waste and excess water, and includes two kidneys, two ureters, a bladder and a urethra; urinary tract infection is the second most common type of infection in the body. According to the CDC: infection occurs when bacteria, often from the skin or rectum, enter the urethra and infect the urinary tract. The NHS states that the cause is usually bacteria from the stool entering the urinary tract.

The CDC distinguishes between the symptoms of a bladder infection and a kidney infection (see symptoms).

Causes

According to the NHS: usually caused by bacteria from the stool entering the urinary tract. The CDC says bacteria, often from the skin or rectum, enter the urethra and infect the urinary tract.

Sources13

Risk factors

According to MedlinePlus: women are four times more affected than men, and the risk rises with diabetes, use of urinary catheters and spinal cord injuries.

According to the CDC: female anatomy (shorter urethra), recent sexual activity, changes in vaginal flora (menopause, spermicides), pregnancy, advanced or very young age, structural problems in the urinary tract, and a history of previous infection. The NHS adds: pregnancy, kidney stones, conditions that prevent the bladder emptying completely, catheters, weakened immunity, menopause, spermicides, and incorrect wiping after a bowel movement.

Symptoms

According to MedlinePlus: pain or burning on urination, fever and tiredness or shivering, a frequent need to urinate, pressure in the lower abdomen, foul-smelling, cloudy or reddish urine, and back or side pain below the ribs.

The NHS also mentions a high temperature or feeling cold and shivery. In children there may be involuntary urination or vomiting. In older people or those with catheters there may be behavioural changes such as irritability or confusion (delirium).

According to the CDC: bladder symptoms: pain or burning on urination, frequent urination, the urge to urinate even when the bladder is empty, blood in the urine, and pressure or cramping in the lower abdomen. Kidney infection symptoms: fever, chills, lower back or side pain, and nausea or vomiting.

How is it diagnosed?

MedlinePlus states that doctors use a "urine test" to confirm the infection, and recommends seeing a doctor when it is suspected. This page does not cover details of the types of urine test or culture, or imaging tests.

Sources2

Treatment

The treatment categories usually used are listed here; this is not a prescription. The doctor chooses the plan according to each person's condition; do not change any medicine or dose without a specialist.

According to MedlinePlus the treatment is antibiotics. The CDC states that the provider prescribes the antibiotic, and that the patient should take all doses as prescribed and not share antibiotics with others.

The NHS states that the doctor may advise self-care and a painkiller, or prescribe a short course of antibiotics. The choice of medicine and its duration is for the doctor according to the case, and do not start or stop an antibiotic without a specialist.

The CDC points out that using antibiotics only when needed protects the microbiome, that most people with bacteria in the urine without symptoms do not need treatment, and that antibiotics may cause severe allergy, resistant infection and C. difficile infection.

Strength of evidence: Moderate evidence

Why this rating: Based on guidance pages from major health bodies (WHO, NHS and NIH) that have not been systematically appraised here; it will be reviewed with a medical reviewer before the grade is raised.

The true effect is probably close to the estimate, but new research could change it.

Sources231

Complications

The CDC lists kidney infection as a condition with more severe symptoms (fever, chills, back pain and nausea). This page does not cover precise data on complications such as sepsis or permanent kidney damage.

Sources3

Prevention

According to the NHS: wiping front to back, drinking fluids, avoiding scented soaps, wearing cotton underwear, and avoiding spermicidal contraceptives. The NHS states that evidence supports D-mannose or cranberry products in recurrent infection; this page does not cover the strength of the evidence or doses, so ask your doctor. MedlinePlus mentions cranberry as a prevention topic without details.

Strength of evidence: Moderate evidence

Why this rating: Based on guidance pages from major health bodies (WHO, NHS and NIH) that have not been systematically appraised here; it will be reviewed with a medical reviewer before the grade is raised.

The true effect is probably close to the estimate, but new research could change it.

Sources12

Living with it

The NHS advises urgent assessment for the higher-risk groups (men, people with diabetes, pregnant women, people with catheters, people with weakened immunity, older people and children), and when infection recurs or symptoms worsen.

Sources1

When do you need urgent help?

Call emergency services now 998

  • Confusion, drowsiness or difficulty speaking: seek emergency care. (NHS)1

Get urgent care today

  • Fever and chills with lower back or side pain, or nausea and vomiting (possible signs of a kidney infection), or blood in the urine, or symptoms in a man, pregnant woman, person with diabetes, person with a catheter or a child, or an infant under 3 months with fever: see a doctor the same day. (NHS, CDC)13

See your doctor within days

  • Symptoms that recur, do not improve or get worse: see a doctor to assess the cause.1

Educational content only — no diagnosis, and no substitute for a clinician.

Common questions

Do I take an antibiotic without testing if symptoms appear?

No; the CDC states that the provider is the one who prescribes the antibiotic and that using it unnecessarily is harmful; MedlinePlus recommends seeing a doctor for a urine test.32

Is cranberry a treatment?

The NHS states that evidence supports cranberry or D-mannose in recurrent infection (prevention); this page does not cover details or doses, and it is not a substitute for treatment when an infection appears.1

Questions for your doctor

  • Do I need a urine test or culture?
  • Is the infection in the bladder or the kidneys?
  • Which antibiotic category suits me, and when should improvement be expected?
  • Why do infections keep recurring for me, and do I need further tests?
  • Do diabetes, stones or an enlarged prostate contribute to my condition?

References

  1. 1
    NHS. Urinary tract infections (UTIs). www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/
    Health agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-11
  2. 2
    MedlinePlus. Urinary Tract Infections. medlineplus.gov/urinarytractinfections.html
    Health agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-06
  3. 3
    CDC. Urinary Tract Infection — Antibiotic Use. www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/uti.html
    Health agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-06

Review status: Edited content · Last updated:

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Educational content only — no diagnosis, and no substitute for a clinician.

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