A urinary tract infection affects every part of the urinary system – kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections affect the lower urinary tract – bladder and urethra. Women are at greater risk of developing infections than men due to a number of characteristics. An infection limited to the bladder can be painful and annoying. However, serious consequences can occur if it spreads to the kidneys. Urinary tract infections do not always cause signs and symptoms, but when the disease becomes clinical, symptoms may include: Frequent urination; Burning sensation and pain during micturition; Cloudy urine, in some cases even the presence of blood in the urine; Pelvic pain especially in the center of the pelvis and in the area around the pubic bone Each type of urinary tract infection can cause more specific signs and symptoms, depending on which part of the urinary tract is affected. In cases where the kidneys are affected, pyelonephritis develops. Symptoms include pain in the kidney area, high fever, chills, nausea and vomiting. When the bladder is affected (cystitis), the symptoms of the disease include discomfort in the lower abdomen, frequent, painful urination and often the presence of blood in the urine. In case of inflammation of the urethra (urethritis), the disease is manifested by severe pain and burning during urination. Urinary tract infections usually occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder. Although the urinary system is designed to protect against such “invaders”, these defenses sometimes fail to cope. When this happens, bacteria can begin to multiply and develop into a full-blown urinary tract infection. The most common infections occur mostly in women and affect the bladder and urethra. Cystitis (bladder infection) is usually caused by Escherichia coli, a type of bacteria normally found in the gastrointestinal tract. Intercourse can cause cystitis, but you don’t have to be sexually active to get it. Women are at a greater risk of developing cystitis due to some anatomical features – the shorter urethra and its more specific location in relation to the genitals and anal area. This creates an opportunity for easy contamination and penetration of infection. Risk factors specific to women include: Anatomical features; Sexual activity – sexually active women have an increased risk of developing urinary tract infections compared to those who are not sexually active; Frequent change of sexual partners; Certain types of contraceptives, such as diaphragms for birth control; Menopause – after menopause, the drop in circulating estrogen causes changes in the urinary tract,making them more vulnerable to infections; Abnormalities of the urinary tract; Kidney stone disease; A suppressed immune system – diabetes and other diseases that damage the immune system can increase your risk You can take the following steps to reduce your risk of urinary tract infections: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Drinking water helps dilute the urine and ensures that you urinate more often, allowing bacteria to be flushed out before an infection develops. Take cranberry juice. Cranberry is an extremely useful dietary supplement with diuretic and antibacterial action, which helps maintain healthy urinary tracts. Urinate soon after intercourse. Avoid potentially irritating intimate products. The use of sprays or powders in the genital area can irritate the urethra.