A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of your urinary system — your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra.

Types of UTIs

• Cystitis (bladder)

You might feel like you need to pee a lot, or it might hurt when you pee. You might also have lower belly pain and cloudy or bloody urine.

• Pyelonephritis (kidneys)

This can cause fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and pain in your upper back or side.

• Urethritis (urethra)

This can cause a discharge and burning when you pee.

UTI Complications

• Women who have repeated infections

When you get UTIs over and over, your doctor may suggest a different antibiotics plan. This might mean taking daily medications for six months or longer, taking a single dose after sex, or taking them for 2 to 3 days when symptoms show up. Another option is an IV of antibiotic every 24 hours for 4 to 7 days. You might also consider drinking plenty of water, switching birth control methods, and peeing more often, especially right after sex.

• Permanent kidney damage

If you don't treat a UTI, a long-lasting kidney infection can hurt your kidneys forever. It can affect the way your kidneys function and lead to kidney scars, high blood pressure, and other issues. Sometimes it can even be life-threatening.

• UTIs and diabetes

Women with this condition have a higher risk of complications when they get a UTI than those without diabetes. The key is to diagnose and treat UTIs right away to avoid problems such as kidney infections.

• UTIs and pregnancy

These infections are very common during pregnancy. If they’re not treated, they could lead to problems for both mom and baby. This could include a greater risk of delivering a low birthweight or premature baby. Your risk for high blood pressure and anemia also go up.

• UTIs in men

These infections are less common in men than women. They usually happen because of some kind of blockage. This may be due to an enlarged prostate, a urinary stone, or a problem from a catheter used for a procedure. These UTIs are treated with antibiotics.

• Other structural or functional issues

Like blockages that men might have, there can be other issues with the way the urinary system works. Things like cysts, stones and tumors can trigger more serious problems. If you've had a kidney transplant or kidney failure, that can lead to complications with a UTI.

Symptoms of UTIs

• A strong, persistent urge to urinate

• A burning sensation when urinating

• Passing frequent, small amounts of urine

• Urine that appears cloudy

• Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored — a sign of blood in the urine

• Strong-smelling urine

• Pelvic pain, in women — especially in the center of the pelvis and around the area of the pubic bone

• Fever

• Chills

• Lower back pain or pain in the side of your back