| A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that | | | | signs and symptoms depending on which area of |
| originates in your urinary system. UTIS are not | | | | your urinary tract has become infected by |
| only painful but they are extremely annoying. | | | | bacteria. Acute pyelonephritis is the infection of |
| Serious complications can occur if the infection | | | | your kidneys and can cause symptoms such as |
| spreads to your kidneys. | | | | upper back and flank pain, high fever, shaking |
| Your urinary system includes your kidneys, | | | | chills, nausea, or vomiting. |
| ureters, bladder, and urethra, all of which play an | | | | Cystitis is the infection or inflammation of your |
| important role in removing wastes from your | | | | bladder which may cause pelvic pressure, lower |
| body. Your kidneys are a pair of bean shaped | | | | abdominal discomfort, frequent and painful |
| organs that are located in your upper abdomen | | | | urination, and urine with a strong odor. Urethritis is |
| and filter the waste from your blood. Tubes | | | | the infection or inflammation of the urethra and |
| known as ureters carry urine from your kidneys | | | | causes a burning sensation when urinating. Men |
| to your bladder where it is stored until it exits | | | | may experience a penile discharge. |
| through the urethra. Any and all of these parts | | | | Many UTIS occur when bacteria has entered the |
| can become infected. | | | | urinary tract and has began to multiply. Your |
| Women are much more likely to experience a | | | | urinary system has natural ways of fighting |
| UTI. Actually over half of all women will develop a | | | | infection which are designed to help stop the |
| UTI in their lifetime. Some women will experience | | | | growth of bacteria and keep out other such |
| UTIS multiple times. Thankfully there are many | | | | microscopic invaders. There are certain factors |
| ways to cure the infection and regain proper | | | | that will increase your odds of getting a UTI. |
| function of your organs and muscles. | | | | Cystitis commonly occurs in women after sexual |
| Some people don't develop any signs at all of | | | | intercourse. However even girls and women who |
| having a UTI but common signs and symptoms | | | | aren't sexually active are still susceptible to lower |
| include a strong and persistent urge to urinate, a | | | | urinary tract infections simply because the anus is |
| burning sensation while urinating, passing frequent | | | | located so close to the urethra. In men urethritis |
| but small amounts of liquid, as well as blood in the | | | | is commonly a result of bacteria acquired through |
| urine or cloudy urine with a strong odor. | | | | sexual contact. Such infections include gonorrhea |
| Each different type of UTI may result in specific | | | | and Chlamydia. |