What are urinary tract infections?

A urinary tract infection is a common infection that is caused by bacteria in parts of the urinary tract, such as the kidneys, bladder, or urethra. Women are more likely to get urinary tract infections than men are.

A UTI is an infection anywhere in the urinary tract.* Your urinary tract includes the organs that collect and store urine and release it from your body. They are the

• Kidneys- Your kidneys collect wastes and extra water from your blood to make urine.
• Ureters- The ureters carry the urine from your kidneys to your bladder.
• Bladder- Your bladder stores the urine and squeezes it out when full.
• Prostate- The prostate adds fluid to semen.
• Urethra- The urethra carries the urine out of your bladder when you urinate.