What does it mean if my kidney started hurting due to a urinary tract infection?
Urinary tract infection (UTI) refers to a group of inflammations of the urethra, ureters, bladder, or kidneys. Urine is usually sterile, which means it doesn’t contain any bacteria or infectious organisms. However, these types of organisms sometimes get into the urinary tract and cause an infection Urinary tract infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or some types of parasites. The most common types of urinary tract infections are bladder infections, called cystitis; kidney infections, called pyelonephritis; and infections of the urethra, called urethritis. They are caused by bacteria that are normally present in your digestive system and on the skin around the rectum and vagina. This bacteria can pass through the urethra and up into the bladder. Urinary tract infections are not contagious. However, bacteria in the area of the vagina can get pushed into the urethra during sexual intercourse. Infections can also be caused by irritation to your genital area, such as using
