Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

What is a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

A UTI is an infection in any part of the urinary system. The urinary system is usually made up of two kidneys and two tubes called ureters, which join the kidneys to the bladder. From the bladder another tube, the urethra, carries the urine outside the body.

Infection most commonly occurs in the bladder (cystitis) but can also occur in the urethra (urethritis), the kidneys (pyelonephritis), or a combination of these.

Infections in the kidneys require evaluation by a doctor or nurse practitioner.

What are the symptoms of a UTI?

Symptoms of a UTI may include:

• burning or stinging (hurts) when you urinate
• more regular and/ or urgent need to urinate
• pain around the bladder area (in the lower part of the tummy, below the belly button)

View more information on UTIs visit healthdirect.

What is the difference between an uncomplicated and a complicated UTI?

An uncomplicated urinary tract infection is generally in women, and people with female biology, who are generally healthy, who are not pregnant and who have no abnormalities or blockages in their urinary tract.  Uncomplicated infections are those in the lower section of the urinary tract (urethra and bladder).

If a pharmacist thinks the infection may be complicated, the patient will be referred to a doctor for treatment.

View the UTI fact sheet in Hindi, Nepali, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Urdu and Vietnamese.