A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any other part of the urinary system — your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most of the infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra.
Women are at a greater risk of developing a UTI than are men. Infection limited to your bladder can be a bit painful and annoying. However, serious consequences can happen if a UTI starts to spread to your kidneys.
Usually, urinary tract infections don’t always cause signs and symptoms; however, when they do they may include:
- 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
UTIs may be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions in older adults.
