Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a general term for infection anywhere in the urinary tract—the kidneys, bladder, ureters (the tubes from the kidneys to the bladder), or urethra (the tube from the bladder to outside the body).
Infection of the kidney (pyelonephritis) and bladder (cystitis) is usually due to bacteria. Infection of the urethra (urethritis) is often due to a sexually transmitted disease, such as gonorrhea , but may also have other causes.
Various factors increase the risk of developing a urinary tract infection, including kidney or bladder stones , diabetes , reduced immunity, difficulty emptying the bladder fully, and, in men, an enlarged prostate gland .
Treatment is usually with antibiotics.
Pain relievers and drinking plenty of fluids may relieve symptoms