Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

The urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. An infection to any part of the urinary system is known as a urinary tract infection or UTI. Most common UTIs involve infections to the lower urinary tract, the bladder and the urethra. UTIs can lead to a kidney infection, which can be very serious, if left untreated.

Different types of UTIs can include:

Cystitis: an infection of the bladder which is the most common lower urinary tract infection

Urethritis: an infection of the urethra

Pyelonephritis: an infection of the kidneys

Common symptoms can include:

• Burning with urination
• Increased frequency of urination without passing much urine
• Increased urgency of urination
• Bloody urine
• Cloudy urine
• Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored — signs of blood in the urine
• Strong-smelling urine
• Pelvic pain in women, especially in the center of the pelvis and around the area of the pubic bone