Urinary tract infections (also called UTIs) are infections in any part of your urinary system; your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. UTIs are a common infections that happen when bacteria, often from skin or rectum, enter the urethra, and infect the urinary tract. Urinary tract infections can affect several parts of the urinary tract, but the most common type is a bladder infection (cystitis).
Females are at higher risk of getting a UTIs because of urethras being closer to the rectum. This makes it easier for bacteria to enter the urinary tract.
There are many other factors that can contribute to urinary infections:
- A previous UTI
- Sexual activity
- Changes in the bacteria, or vaginal flora.
- Pregnancy
- Age (older adults and young children are more likely to get UTIs)
- Structural problems in the urinary tract, such as enlarged prostate.
- Poor hygiene
- Yeast infections
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