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Urinary Tract Infection
Alternate Names : Bladder Infection, Cystitis, UTI
DefinitionA urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection that can happen anywhere along the urinary tract -- the kidneys, the ureters (the tubes that take urine from each kidney to the bladder), the bladder, or the urethra (the tube that empties urine from the bladder to the outside). Most commonly, infections affect the lower urinary tract (bladder and urethra), which is called cystitis.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Cystitis, a very common condition, is usually caused by a bacteria from the anus entering the urethra and then the bladder. This leads to inflammation and infection in the lower urinary tract.
Certain people are more likely to get UTIs. For example, women tend to get them more often because their urethra is shorter and closer to the anus. Elderly people (especially those in nursing homes) and people with diabetes also get more UTIs.
In addition, the following risk factors increase the chances of getting a UTI:
Pregnancy and menopause Kidney Stones Sexual intercourse, especially if you have multiple partners, and using a diaphragm for birth control Immobility (for example, during recovery from a hip fracture) Inadequate fluid intake Catheterization (for example, people paralyzed from the waist down often require a catheter to remove urine since the bladder muscle does not function properly)
Some children develop urinary tract infections. In boys the peak age is before the first birthday. Urinary tract infections are much more common among uncircumcised boys. In girls, the peak age for first infections is 3 years, overlapping with the toilet training period. Cystitis in children can be promoted by abnormalities in the urinary tract. Therefore, children with cystitis (especially those under age 5) deserve special follow-up to prevent later kidney damage.
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Jump to another section
• Definition
• Urinary Tract Infection Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms & Signs
• Urinary Tract Infection Prevention
• Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosis & Tests
• Urinary Tract Infection Treatment
• Urinary Tract Infection Prognosis
• Urinary Tract Infection Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Enlarged Prostate
• Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis)
• Prostatitis - Acute
• Urethral Stricture
• Urinary Tract Infection - Chronic or Recurrent
Tests & Exams
• RBC - Urine
• Urinalysis
• Urine Culture - Catheterized Specimen
• Urine Culture - Clean Catch
• Urine Odor
• WBC Count
Other Topics
• Bowel Incontinence
• Confusion
• Flank Pain
• Penis Pain
• Sexual Intercourse - Painful
• Urinary Frequency/Urgency
• Urination - Excessive at Night
• Urine - Bloody
• Vitamin C
Review Date : 10/19/2003
Reviewed By : Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Boston, Ma., and Senior Medical Editor, A.D.A.M., Inc. Previously reviewed by Alan Greene, M.D., F.A.A.P., Chief Medical Officer, A.D.A.M.; Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine; Attending Physician, Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford (3/3/2002).
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