Your urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. The urinary system removes waste from the body through urine. The kidneys are located toward the back of the upper abdomen. They filter waste and fluid from the blood and produce urine. Urine moves from the kidneys through narrow tubes to the bladder. These tubes are called the ureters. The bladder stores urine until it's time to urinate. Urine leaves the body through another small tube called the urethra. Show
Close Male urinary systemMale urinary systemYour urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. The urinary system removes waste from the body through urine. The kidneys are located toward the back of the upper abdomen. They filter waste and fluid from the blood and produce urine. Urine moves from the kidneys through narrow tubes to the bladder. These tubes are called the ureters. The bladder stores urine until it's time to urinate. Urine leaves the body through another small tube called the urethra. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary system. The urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra. Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than are men. If an infection is limited to the bladder, it can be painful and annoying. But serious health problems can result if a UTI spreads to the kidneys. Health care providers often treat urinary tract infections with antibiotics. You can also take steps to lower the chance of getting a UTI in the first place. Products & Services
SymptomsUTIs don't always cause symptoms. When they do, they may include:
In older adults, UTIs may be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions. Types of urinary tract infectionsEach type of UTI may result in more-specific symptoms. The symptoms depend on which part of the urinary tract is affected. Part of urinary tract affectedSigns and symptomsKidneys
When to see a doctorContact your health care provider if you have symptoms of a UTI. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inboxSign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data.To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. According to the NIH, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common infection in the U.S. Half of women have at least one UTI in their lifetimes. Men are susceptible, too, although their longer ureters protect their urinary tract from bacteria and other pathogens. How do you know if you have a UTI? The experts at Rose Family Practice and Urgent Care in Vancouver and Battle Ground, Washington, recommend you contact them for a UTI evaluation if you experience symptoms such as:
Most UTIs can be resolved with a course of antibiotics. Not treating a UTI can spread the infection and cause serious and even life-threatening health issues. Some UTIs don’t have symptoms. If you already know that you’re prone to UTIs, staying on top of your health with regular exams at Rose Family Practice will help keep infections in check, protect the health of your other organs, and minimize your risk for chronic UTIs. If you do have symptoms, get help right way. Consequences of an untreated UTI include: Kidney damageThe bacteria that cause UTIs may enter your body through your urethra (the tube where you pass urine), but they don’t necessarily stop there. The bacteria can travel up into your bladder, causing an infection there known as cystitis, through your ureters, and up into your kidneys. An infection in your kidneys, known as pyelonephritis, may permanently damage them. Damaged kidneys raise your risk for kidney failure and high blood pressure. Pregnant women with UTIs are particularly at risk for a kidney infection. SepsisWhen the infection from a UTI isn’t controlled, it can spread into your bloodstream and circulate throughout the rest of your body, affecting all your organs and creating a life-threatening condition called sepsis. If you develop sepsis, you may have symptoms such as fever, chills, dizziness, and confusion. Sepsis interferes with your organs’ normal, healthy function and may even cause them to shut down permanently. Urethral narrowingThough it’s more common in men, an untreated UTI in your urethra can cause scarring, leading to a condition called stricture, which is a narrowing of your urethra that makes it more difficult to pass urine. Symptoms include spraying, decreased stream, pain, and not being able to fully empty your bladder. Complications with pregnancyA UTI may transmit bacteria to your developing fetus, raising your risk for an infant that has a low birth weight or is born prematurely. If you’re pregnant, your Rose Family Practice doctor checks for UTIs when you come in for your regular prenatal exams. Preventing a UTITo keep your urethra, bladder, and kidneys healthy and UTI free, the doctors at Rose Family Practice offer the following tips:
Women should add the following precautions, too:
Don’t ignore the symptoms of a UTI. Call us today, or use the online form to schedule an appointment. How long can a UTI go untreated?How long does a UTI last untreated? Some UTIs will go away on their own in as little as 1 week. However, UTIs that do not go away on their own will only get worse over time. If you think you have a UTI, speak with a doctor about the best course of action.
What happens if you have an untreated UTI for too long?If your UTI goes untreated, it may progress into a more serious infection. “An untreated bladder infection can become a kidney or prostate infection. These infections are more serious, because they can travel through the blood stream causing sepsis. Sepsis makes people very ill and can even be critical,” Dr.
How do I know if my UTI is serious?As mentioned, antibiotics are typically needed to treat a UTI, so it's important to seek prompt care if you notice the signs of one. Especially if: Your symptoms are severe or getting worse. Your symptoms don't improve after a few days.
How do you know if a UTI has spread to your kidneys?To find out if you have a kidney infection, doctors may do tests such as: Urine tests to look for bacteria or other signs of infection, such as white blood cells, in your urine. Blood tests. Imaging tests to look at your kidneys, such as an X-ray, ultrasound or CT scan.
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