How do you get a urinary tract infection?
Urinary tract infections are caused by microorganisms, most commonly bacteria. They usually enter your urethra and can infect your bladder. The infection can also spread from your bladder to your ureters and infect your kidneys.
How common are urinary tract infections?
UTIs are quite frequent, particularly in women and those who were designated female at birth (AFAB). Approximately 20% of people with AFAB will develop a UTI at some point in their lives. UTIs can afflict men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB), as well as children, albeit they only affect 1% to 2% of children. Every year, healthcare providers treat 8 million to 10 million people for UTIs.