Urinary tract infections

Overview

Your urinary system removes wastes from your body. A urinary tract infection (UTI) can occur anywhere in the urinary system — the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. UTIs typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder. Treatment with antibiotics usually resolves the problem.

Some children have a kidney or bladder abnormality that increases their risk of UTIs. In one condition, called vesicoureteral (ves-ih-koe-yoo-REE-tur-ul) reflux, urine flows backward from the bladder through the tubes that carry urine to the bladder (ureters) and sometimes reaches the kidneys. Many children outgrow this condition. For those who don't, treatment — which may include medications or surgery — aims to prevent kidney damage.

Read more about urinary tract infection and vesicoureteral reflux.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for urinary tract infections

• Expertise. Experienced specialists at Mayo Clinic can determine the cause and recommend an effective treatment in cases of complicated or recurrent urinary tract infections.
• Teamwork. In cases of complicated or recurrent UTIs, urology specialists work closely with kidney specialists or infectious disease specialists, depending on circumstances, to diagnose and treat the problem.
• Surgical skill. Highly skilled Mayo surgeons, including pediatric urologic surgeons, can perform minimally invasive surgery to correct recurrent problems or abnormalities in the urinary system.
• Child-friendly environment. For children needing testing or treatment, Mayo Clinic provides a friendly, comforting environment. Parents can stay with their children during some diagnostic tests.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for urology by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., are ranked high performing for urology by U.S. News & World Report.

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