What causes a UTI?Usually, a UTI is caused by bacteria that can also live in the digestive tract, in the vagina,or around the urethra, which is at the entrance to the urinary tract. Most often thesebacteria enter the urethra and travel to the bladder and kidneys. Usually, your bodyremoves the bacteria, and you have no symptoms. However, some people seem to beprone to infection, including women and older people.Normal urine is sterile. It contains fluids, salts, and waste products, but it is free ofbacteria, viruses, and fungi. An infection occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteriafrom the digestive tract, cling to the opening of the urethra and begin to multiply. Mostinfections arise from one type of bacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli), which normally livesin the colon.In most cases, bacteria first begin growing in the urethra. An infection limited to theurethra is called urethritis. From there bacteria often move on to the bladder, causing abladder infection (cystitis). If the infection is not treated promptly, bacteria may then goup the ureters to infect the kidneys (pyelonephritis).Microorganisms called Chlamydia and Mycoplasma may also cause UTIs in both menand women, but these infections tend to remain limited to the urethra and reproductivesystem. Unlike E. coli, Chlamydia and Mycoplasma may be sexually transmitted, andinfections require treatment of both partners.The urinary system is structured in a way that helps ward off infection. The ureters andbladder normally prevent urine from backing up toward the kidneys, and the flow ofurine from the bladder helps wash bacteria out of the body. In men, the prostate glandproduces secretions that slow bacterial growth. In both sexes, immune defenses alsoprevent infection. But despite these safeguards, infections still occur.Women are more likely to get UTIs than men are.Will UTIs come back?Sometimes. Most healthy women don't have repeat infections. However, about one out ofevery five women who get a UTI will get another one. Some women get three or moreUTIs a year. Men frequently get repeat infections. Anyone who has diabetes or a problemthat makes it difficult to urinate may get repeat infections.If you get repeat infections, talk with your doctor about special treatment plans. Yourdoctor may refer you to a urologist, a doctor who specializes in urinary problems. Yourdoctor may have you take antibiotics over a longer period to help prevent repeatinfections. Some doctors give patients who get frequent UTIs a supply of antibiotics to betaken at the first sign of infection. Make sure you understand what your doctor tells youabout taking the antibiotic and do exactly that.Men may need to take antibiotics for a longer time. Bacteria can hide deep in prostatetissue. Men shouldn't take their spouse's pills and think they will cure the infection. See adoctor for treatment that fits your needs.

Is there a vaccine to prevent recurrent UTIs'In the future, scientists may develop a vaccine that can prevent UTIs from coming back.Researchers in different studies have found that children and women who tend to getUTIs repeatedly are likely to lack proteins called immunoglobulins, which fightinfection. Children and women who do not get UTIs are more likely to have normallevels of immunoglobulins in their genital and urinary tracts.Early tests indicate that a vaccine helps patients build up their own natural infectionfightingpowers. The dead bacteria in the vaccine do not spread like an infection; instead,they prompt the body to produce antibodies that can later fight against live organisms.Researchers are testing injected and oral vaccines to see which works best. Anothermethod being considered for women is to apply the vaccine directly as a suppository inthe vagina.If you are sick and tired of your pain and suffering from bladder infections, urinary tractinfections or cystitis please visit our website