It is known that urinary tract infections are frequent conditions among women all over the world. Statistics say that women who have a urinary tract infection will have another in 20 % of the cases and 30 % of those will have yet another. Of these last mentioned patients, about 80 % will have recurrences.

In most of the cases the latest infection is caused by a type of bacteria that is different from the infection before it. Even if more than one urinary tract infections occur because of the E. coli bacteria some differences can be observed.

Specialists believe that urinary tract infections reoccur because of the ability of the bacteria to attach to cells lining the urinary tract. Other tests, more recent than the ones mentioned earlier proved that women with recurrent urinary tract infections tend to have certain blood types.

Specialists agree with this last affirmation because they say that women with the specified blood type may allow the bacteria to attach more easily to the cells lining the vagina and urethra. Later researches are expected to prove their theory.

It was noticed that not all patients develop similar symptoms but what is more curious that some people do not get any. These cases are rare indeed. Most of the UTI patients get at least some symptoms that may mean frequent and painful urinating or burning feeling in the area of the bladder or urethra. It was noticed that it is not a rule to feel bad or tired and not even to feel pain but women usually experience an uncomfortable pressure above the pubic bone, while men experience a fullness of the rectum. In almost any case, the suffering patients complain that, even if they often need to urinate they eliminate only a small amount of urine. Another worrying sign is the cloudy color of urine or even the reddish color that indicates that blood is present. Fever is also a worrying sign because it means that the infection got to the kidneys. Other common symptoms of kidney infection include back pain, nausea or vomiting.

For old people, problems such as confusion, agitation, restlessness or low levels of consciousness might occur. The causes for these symptoms can be the infection or dehydration. These symptoms can also be a sign for neurologic disorders.

In children it is a bit different. A urinary tract infection should be considered when the child seems irritable, it is not eating normally, has fever or is not thriving. The recommendation is to see a doctor.