Urinary tract infections are infections of the urethra, bladder, ureters or kidneys. Most urinary tract infections result from germs rising up the urethra into the bladder. The urethra is the tube that connects the outside of the body to the bladder (the sac that holds your urine). We all have germs residing near the urethra that come from the rectal opening.

Urinary tract infections are most common in women and girls. One reason women are more likely to get an infection is that the female urethra is shorter. In men and boys, lower tract infections often relate to abnormal anatomy. Chemicals in prostate fluid may also act to protect men. Urinary tract infections may ascend from the urethra to the bladder to the ureters to the kidneys. Untreated kidney infections may lead to high blood pressure or kidney failure. So, early treatment of urinary tract infections is important.

Some factors that contribute to infection are:
* irritation resulting from bubble baths, feminine hygiene spray or sexual intercourse,
* wiping with toilet tissue toward the urethra,
* renal stones that block urine flow and irritate linings,
* a swollen prostate gland in men,
* pregnancy,
* abnormal structures in the tract,
* bladder problems that result in decreased emptying, or
* having a urinary catheter in the urethra.

A person with a urinary tract infection may have the following symptoms:
* an urgent and frequent need to urinate,
* pain or a feeling of burning during urination,
* cramps in the bladder,
* discharge from the urethra (in men) ,
* blood in the urine,
* fever and chills, or
* tenderness over the bladder area.

There may also be pain in the area of the kidneys, on either side of the backbone just above the waist.

High counts of bacteria in urine confirm an infection. A mid-stream urine will be collected. This ensures a cleaner specimen. Your healthcare provider may also order other kidney tests. Most infections respond well to antibiotic treatment. It is important to take all of your medication as ordered. It is also important to report any unresolved symptoms to your healthcare provider.

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