- Home
- Parents Home
- Allergy Center
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- A to Z Dictionary
- Emotions & Behavior
- First Aid & Safety
- Food Allergy Center
- General Health
- Growth & Development
- Flu Center
- Heart Health
- Homework Help Center
- Infections
- Diseases & Conditions
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Play & Learn Center
- School & Family Life
- Pregnancy Center
- Newborn Center
- Q&A
- Recipes
- Sports Medicine Center
- Doctors & Hospitals
- Videos
- Para Padres
- Home
- Kids Home
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Movies & More
- Diabetes Center
- Getting Help
- Feelings
- Puberty & Growing Up
- Health Problems of Grown-Ups
- Health Problems
- Homework Center
- How the Body Works
- Illnesses & Injuries
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Recipes & Cooking
- Staying Healthy
- Stay Safe Center
- Relax & Unwind Center
- Q&A
- Heart Center
- Videos
- Staying Safe
- Kids' Medical Dictionary
- Para Niños
- Home
- Teens Home
- Asthma Center
- Be Your Best Self Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- Diseases & Conditions
- Drugs & Alcohol
- Expert Answers (Q&A)
- Flu Center
- Homework Help Center
- Infections
- Managing Your Medical Care
- Managing Your Weight
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Recipes
- Safety & First Aid
- School & Work
- Sexual Health
- Sports Center
- Stress & Coping Center
- Videos
- Your Body
- Your Mind
- Para Adolescentes
A to Z: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
May also be called: Cystitis; Pyelonephritis; Bladder Infection; Kidney Infection
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in one or more of the structures of the urinary tract. UTIs are more common in females.
More to Know
The urinary tract includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Kidneys filter blood, remove waste and produce urine (pee); ureters carry the urine from the kidneys to the bladder; and the bladder stores the urine until it is eliminated from the body through the urethra.
A UTI can happen anywhere along this tract, but the lower part — the urethra and bladder — is most commonly involved. This is called cystitis. If the infection travels up the ureters to the kidneys, it's called pyelonephritis and is usually more serious.
Most UTIs occur when bacteria infect the urinary tract, but some viruses also can cause an infection. Bacteria aren't normally found in pee, but they can easily enter the urinary tract from the skin around the anus.
UTIs are highly treatable, but it's important to catch them early. Untreated UTIs can lead to kidney damage, especially in kids younger than 6.
UTI symptoms include pain while peeing, frequent urination, low back pain or abdominal pain in the area of the bladder, fever, and foul-smelling urine that may look cloudy or contain blood. UTIs are treated with antibiotics. The antibiotic used and how long it must be taken depend on the type of bacteria causing the infection and how severe it is.
Keep in Mind
Most UTIs are cured within a week with proper medical treatment. Many UTIs can be prevented by changing infants' diapers frequently, encouraging kids to practice good hygiene, and instructing kids not to "hold it" when they have to pee because urine that remains in the bladder gives bacteria a good place to grow.
Some UTIs are caused by a congenital condition called vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) that causes urine to flow from the bladder up the ureters and toward the kidneys. Kids with VUR should follow their doctor's treatment plan to prevent recurrent UTIs.
All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995- The Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth® is a registered trademark of The Nemours Foundation. All rights reserved.
Images sourced by The Nemours Foundation and Getty Images.
Humana Healthy Horizons in Ohio
- Humana Healthy Horizons
- Humana Healthy Horizons Extras
- Member Support
- Care management
- Caregiver resources
- Child well-being
- Disease management
- Documents and forms
- Enrollment
- Grievances and appeals
- Health and wellness
- KidsHealth
- Member Handbook
- New Member Resources
- News and alerts
- OhioRISE Plan
- Pregnancy outcomes
- Tobacco cessation
- Why Humana
- Your primary care provider
- For Providers
- Contact us
- Accessibility
- Humana Healthy Horizons
- Humana Healthy Horizons Extras
- Member Support
- Care management
- Caregiver resources
- Child well-being
- Disease management
- Documents and forms
- Enrollment
- Grievances and appeals
- Health and wellness
- KidsHealth
- Member Handbook
- New Member Resources
- News and alerts
- OhioRISE Plan
- Pregnancy outcomes
- Tobacco cessation
- Why Humana
- Your primary care provider
- For Providers
- Contact us
- Accessibility