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The term "urinary tract infection" is a catchall for an infection anywhere in the urinary tract. It may be in the kidneys, in the bladder, or in the urine itself. Urinary tract infections may be uncomplicated or complicated. Research demonstrates that improving patient UTI-related knowledge results in improved patient outcomes and a reduction in urinary tract infection recurrences.
otherwise healthy women and sometimes men
elderly people
people with diabetes or other diseases
young children
Learn more: Who gets UTIs? 
If a healthy woman gets a urinary tract infection, it's usually in the lower urinary tract—the urinary bladder (cystitis), or the urethra—the duct leading from the bladder to the outside (urethritis). A man might get an infection of the prostate gland (prostatitis). A bad urinary tract infection may reach the kidneys (pyelonephritis) and become an upper urinary tract infection. Rarely, the infection spreads from the urinary tract to the bloodstream, causing bacteremia, a serious infection of the blood.
Learn more: Where is the infection?
Urinary tract infections are usually caused by bacteria. Most people who have a urinary tract infection have symptoms, such as a need to urinate often and urine that looks cloudy or bloody in the toilet. The best way to find out for sure if what you have is a urinary tract infection is to see your healthcare professional. The healthcare professional will send a small amount of urine (a urine specimen) to a laboratory, where a laboratory professional will check for bacteria and other infectious organisms.
Learn more: Primary causes of UTIs
Learn more: Bacterial causes of UTIs
Most popular home remedies for urinary tract infections can't be relied on to work. The most effective treatment is to get a prescription from your healthcare professional for an antibiotic such as CIPRO® XR. Whether you have never had a urinary tract infection before or you have had many urinary tract infections, your visit to a healthcare professional will be much easier if you are prepared for the questions you will probably be asked and the examination that should be done.
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