ABSTRACT
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection of either the upper (kidneys and ureters) or lower (bladder and urethra) urinary tract. Infections of the bladder and urethra cause cystitis and urethritis, respectively. The bacteria may enter the urethral opening following sexual intercourse, or less frequently the kidneys may be infected first, from blood-borne bacteria. UTI is very common and primarily affects females, but males may also be affected. Most UTIs are caused by bacteria that live in the alimentary canal and are transferred from the anus to the urethra during sexual intercourse or through poor personal hygiene. Ciprofloxacin is not recommended in pregnancy: pregnant females should be prescribed cephalexin 250 mg to 1000 mg orally four times per day for 7 to 14 days. Hospital admission may be required for pregnant females, the elderly, or those with severe symptoms, diabetes or renal impairment. Some people have bacteria present in their urine but have no other symptoms (asymptomatic bacteriuria).
