Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that occurs in any part of the urinary system which includes the kidneys, ureters (tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder), bladder and the urethra (the tube that expels the urine freely from the bladder).
Though these infections are not severe, they may cause discomfort and if neglected, can lead to serious kidney damage.
CLASSIFICATION
- Upper Urinary Tract Infections: Infections involving the kidneys and ureters known as pyelonephritis
- Lower Urinary Tract Infections: Infections affecting the bladder known as simple cystitis.
- Complicated UTI: This infection occurs when there are functional or structural abnormalities of the genitourinary tract, like urinary stones, spinal cord injury, diabetes, etc.
- Uncomplicated UTI: This is when infection occurs in a normal urinary tract with normal function.
- Recurrent UTI: It occurs due to frequent relapse or re-infection of disease.
