A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, bladder, and the ureters. It is often bacteria-based and is more frequent in women. A UTI can be a bladder or kidney infection. Kidney infections usually take longer to resolve and may even require hospitalization.
<h3>Symptoms</h3>
Symptoms of a urinary tract infection may include:
<ul>
	<li>Back pain, pelvic pain</li>
	<li>Frequent urge to urinate</li>
	<li>Painful urination</li>
	<li>Cloudy urine</li>
	<li>Blood in the urine</li>
	<li>General ill feeling; malaise</li>
</ul>
<h3>Treatment</h3>
<strong>Self-help measures</strong>: Over the counter pain relievers, use of a heating pad and drinking plenty of fluids, including cranberry juice.

<strong>Medication</strong>. Often anti-bacterial drugs. Duration of use depends upon the type of bacteria. May also include self-directed antibiotic treatment and vaginal estrogen if the woman is susceptible to recurrent UTIs.

Additional tests may be necessary if infections are recurrent.