A urinary tract infection is an infection in the urinary tract. The infection can occur in the following areas:
- bladder - where urine is collected and stored
- kidneys - filters waste from the blood and sends it to the bladder
- ureters - tubes that lead from the kidney to the bladder
- urethra - tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body
The bladder is most commonly infected, while the ureters are very rarely infected. UTIs should be addressed as soon as possible before they move to the kidneys.