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Urinary tract infection - adults

Show Alternative Names
Bladder infection - adults
UTI - adults
Cystitis - bacterial - adults
Pyelonephritis - adults
Kidney infection - adults

A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection of the urinary tract. The infection can occur at different points in the urinary tract, including the:

  • Bladder -- An infection in the bladder is also called cystitis or a bladder infection.
  • Kidneys -- An infection of one or both kidneys is called pyelonephritis or a kidney infection.
  • Ureters -- The tubes that take urine from each kidney to the bladder are rarely the only site of infection.
  • Urethra -- An infection of the tube that empties urine from the bladder to the outside is called urethritis.

Causes

Most UTIs are caused by bacteria that enter the urethra and then the bladder. The infection most commonly develops in the bladder, but can spread to the kidneys. Most of the time, your body can get rid of these bacteria. However, certain conditions increase the risk for having UTIs.

Women tend to get them more often because their urethra is shorter and closer to the anus than in men. Because of this, women are more likely to get an infection after sexual activity or when using a diaphragm for birth control. Menopause also increases the risk for a UTI.

The following also increase your chances of developing a UTI:

Test Your Bladder Health Knowledge

  • The bladder's job is to hold urine.

    Correct Answer
    The correct answer is true. The kidneys produce urine, which travels to the bladder through narrow tubes called the ureters. The bladder is located in the center of the lowest part of your abdomen. It holds your urine until you urinate. Most people make about one to two quarts of urine every day.
  • A healthy bladder can hold how much urine at a time?

    Correct Answer
    The correct answer is more than two cups. You first feel the urge to urinate when your bladder is about half full, but your bladder continues to stretch until it's full. Don't wait too long to urinate after you feel the urge.
  • Men are more likely to have bladder infections than women.

    Correct Answer
    The correct answer is false. Women are more likely to have bladder infections. This is because women have a shorter urethra (the tube where urine leaves the body,) and it's closer to the anus. Women are more likely to get an infection after sex or during and after menopause.
  • A fever is the most common sign of a bladder infection.

    Correct Answer
    The correct answer is false. People with a bladder infection do not have a fever. More common symptoms include cloudy or bloody urine, pain or burning when you urinate, pressure or cramps in the lower stomach or back, or feeling like you need to urinate often. Call your doctor if you think you have a bladder infection.
  • An untreated bladder infection can spread to the kidneys.

    Correct Answer
    The correct answer is true. The symptoms of a kidney infection include a high fever, chills, back pain, and a general sick feeling. If you have any signs of a kidney infection, call your doctor right away. A kidney infection can damage the kidneys if it's not treated.
  • Men with a bladder infection may have another health problem.

    Correct Answer
    The correct answer is true. A bladder infection in a man could be a sign that he has a problem with his urinary system or another health condition. Your doctor may refer you to a urologist for more testing.
  • Only people over age 60 have urinary incontinence.

    Correct Answer
    The correct answer is false. Urinary incontinence occurs if you leak urine or have trouble holding your urine. It is most common in older people, but men and women of any age can have it. If you have trouble with leaking urine or not getting to the bathroom on time, see your doctor. There are many treatments that can help.
  • Smoking increases your risk of bladder cancer.

    Correct Answer
    The correct answer is true. Smoking can increase your risk of bladder cancer by two to three times. The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine. See your doctor if you have blood in your urine, even if it goes away after a few days.
  • Interstitial cystitis (IC) is the same thing as cystitis.

    Correct Answer
    The correct answer is false. Cystitis is another name for a bladder infection. IC is a painful condition caused by irritation of the bladder not due to an infection. Doctors don't know the cause, but it can feel like a bladder infection. Tell your doctor if you have symptoms of a bladder infection that don't get better with treatment.
  • Women are more likely to have IC than men.

    Correct Answer
    The correct answer is true. Women are 10 times more likely to have IC than men. It's most common in women ages 30 to 40, but younger women can have it too. See your doctor if you have pelvic pain, pain while urinating, or pain during intercourse.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a bladder infection include:

  • Cloudy or bloody urine, which may have a foul or strong odor
  • Low grade fever in some people
  • Pain or burning with urination
  • Pressure or cramping in the lower abdomen or back
  • Strong need to urinate often, even right after the bladder has been emptied

If the infection spreads to your kidneys, symptoms may include:

  • Chills and shaking or night sweats
  • Fatigue and a general ill feeling
  • Fever above 101°F (38.3°C)
  • Pain in the side, back, or groin
  • Flushed, warm, or reddened skin
  • Mental changes or confusion (in older people, these symptoms often are the only signs of a UTI)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Severe abdominal pain (sometimes)

Exams and Tests

Most of the time, you will need to provide a urine sample for the following tests:

  • Urinalysis -- This test is done to look for white blood cells, red blood cells, bacteria, and to test chemicals such as nitrites in the urine. This test can diagnose an infection most of the time.
  • Clean-catch urine culture -- This test may be done to identify the bacteria and determine the best antibiotic for treatment.

Blood tests such as complete blood count (CBC) and a blood culture may be done as well.

You may also need the following tests to help check for other problems in your urinary system:

Treatment

Your health care provider must first decide if the infection is just in the bladder, or if it has spread to the kidneys and how severe it is.

MILD BLADDER AND KIDNEY INFECTIONS

  • Most of the time, you will need to take an antibiotic to prevent the infection from spreading to the kidneys.
  • For a simple bladder infection, you will take antibiotics for 3 days (women) or 7 to 14 days (men).
  • If you are pregnant or have diabetes, or have a mild kidney infection, you will most often take antibiotics for 7 to 14 days.
  • Finish all of the antibiotics, even if you feel better. If you do not finish the whole dose of medicine, the infection may return and be harder to treat later.
  • Always drink plenty of water when you have a bladder or kidney infection.
  • Tell your provider if you might be pregnant before taking these drugs.

RECURRENT BLADDER INFECTIONS

Some women have repeated bladder infections. Your provider may suggest that you:

  • Take a single dose of an antibiotic after sexual contact to prevent an infection.
  • Have a 3-day course of antibiotics at home to use if you develop an infection.
  • Take a single, daily dose of an antibiotic to prevent infections.

MORE SEVERE KIDNEY INFECTIONS

You may need to go into the hospital if you are very sick and cannot take medicines by mouth or drink enough fluids. You may also be admitted to the hospital if you:

  • Are an older adult
  • Have kidney stones or changes in the anatomy of your urinary tract
  • Have recently had urinary tract surgery
  • Have cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, or other medical problems
  • Are pregnant and have a fever or are otherwise ill

At the hospital, you will receive fluids and antibiotics through a vein.

Some people have UTIs that do not go away with treatment or keep coming back. These are called chronic UTIs. If you have a chronic UTI, you may need stronger antibiotics or to take medicine for a longer time.

You may need surgery if the infection is caused by a problem with the structure of the urinary tract.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Most UTIs can be cured. Bladder infection symptoms most often go away within 24 to 48 hours after treatment begins. If you have a kidney infection, it may take 1 week or longer for symptoms to go away.

Possible Complications

Complications may include:

  • Life-threatening blood infection (sepsis) -- The risk is greater among the young, very old adults, and people whose bodies cannot fight infections (for example, due to HIV or cancer chemotherapy).
  • Kidney damage or scarring.
  • Kidney infection.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if you have symptoms of a UTI. Contact your provider right away if you have signs of a possible kidney infection, such as:

  • Back or side pain
  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Vomiting

Also contact your provider if UTI symptoms come back shortly after you have been treated with antibiotics.

Prevention

Diet and lifestyle changes may help prevent some UTIs. After menopause, a woman may use estrogen cream around the vagina to reduce infections.

Review Date: 8/15/2022

Reviewed By

Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

References

Cooper KL, Badalato GM, Rutman MP. Infections of the urinary tract. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 55.

Nicolle LE, Drekonja D. Approach to the patient with urinary tract infection. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 268.

Sobel JD, Brown P. Urinary tract infections. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 72.

Disclaimer

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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Bladder catheterization - female - Illustration Thumbnail

Bladder catheterization - female

A catheter (a hollow tube, often with an inflatable balloon tip) may be inserted into the urinary bladder when there is a urinary obstruction, following surgical procedures to the urethra, in unconscious patients (due to surgical anesthesia, coma, or other reasons), or for any other problem in which the bladder needs to be kept empty (decompressed) and urinary flow assured. The balloon holds the catheter in place for a duration of time.

Illustration

Bladder catheterization - male - Illustration Thumbnail

Bladder catheterization - male

Catheterization is accomplished by inserting a catheter (a hollow tube, often with and inflatable balloon tip) into the urinary bladder. This procedure is performed for urinary obstruction, following surgical procedures to the urethra, in unconscious patients (due to surgical anesthesia, coma, or other reasons), or for any other problem in which the bladder needs to be kept empty (decompressed) and urinary flow assured. The balloon holds the catheter in place for a duration of time. Catheterization in males is slightly more difficult and uncomfortable than in females because of the longer urethra.

Illustration

Female urinary tract - Illustration Thumbnail

Female urinary tract

The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.

Illustration

Male urinary tract - Illustration Thumbnail

Male urinary tract

The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.

Illustration

Prevention of cystitis - Illustration Thumbnail

Prevention of cystitis

Appropriate hygiene and cleanliness of the genital area may help reduce the chances of introducing bacteria through the urethra. Females are especially vulnerable to this, because the urethra is in close proximity to the rectum. The genitals should be cleaned and wiped from front to back to reduce the chance of dragging E. coli bacteria from the rectal area to the urethra.

Illustration

 
 
Bladder catheterization - female - Illustration Thumbnail

Bladder catheterization - female

A catheter (a hollow tube, often with an inflatable balloon tip) may be inserted into the urinary bladder when there is a urinary obstruction, following surgical procedures to the urethra, in unconscious patients (due to surgical anesthesia, coma, or other reasons), or for any other problem in which the bladder needs to be kept empty (decompressed) and urinary flow assured. The balloon holds the catheter in place for a duration of time.

Illustration

Bladder catheterization - male - Illustration Thumbnail

Bladder catheterization - male

Catheterization is accomplished by inserting a catheter (a hollow tube, often with and inflatable balloon tip) into the urinary bladder. This procedure is performed for urinary obstruction, following surgical procedures to the urethra, in unconscious patients (due to surgical anesthesia, coma, or other reasons), or for any other problem in which the bladder needs to be kept empty (decompressed) and urinary flow assured. The balloon holds the catheter in place for a duration of time. Catheterization in males is slightly more difficult and uncomfortable than in females because of the longer urethra.

Illustration

Female urinary tract - Illustration Thumbnail

Female urinary tract

The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.

Illustration

Male urinary tract - Illustration Thumbnail

Male urinary tract

The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.

Illustration

Prevention of cystitis - Illustration Thumbnail

Prevention of cystitis

Appropriate hygiene and cleanliness of the genital area may help reduce the chances of introducing bacteria through the urethra. Females are especially vulnerable to this, because the urethra is in close proximity to the rectum. The genitals should be cleaned and wiped from front to back to reduce the chance of dragging E. coli bacteria from the rectal area to the urethra.

Illustration

 
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