A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that affects any part of the urinary tract.

When bacteria get into the bladder or kidney and multiply in the urine, they cause a UTI. The most common type of UTI is a bladder infection which is also often called cystitis. Another kind of UTI is a kidney infection, known as pyelonephritis, and is much more serious. Although they cause discomfort, urinary tract infections can usually be quickly and easily treated when the patient sees a doctor promptly.

Increased water-intake, frequent urination, the avoidance of sugars and sugary foods as well as alcohol, drinking unsweetened cranberry juice or taking cranberry extract, as well as taking vitamin C with the last meal of the day can shorten the time duration of the infection.

If pain is present in the back region (suggesting kidney infection) or if pain persists, if there is fever, or if blood is present in the urine, doctor care is recommended.

References

RG Jepson, JC Craig (2008). "Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections.". Cochrane Database Syst Rev: CD001321. PMID 14973968.