A UTI is an infection of any part of the urinary tract. UTIs happen more often in women. In fact, 50% of all women will get a UTI at some point in their lives. A UTI can develop in any part of the urinary tract, including your bladder, ureters, kidneys, or urethra. They happen most often in the bladder, so sometimes people call them bladder infections. There are two types of UTIs.
Lower tract UTI — affects the bladder or urethra. This is the most common type of UTI.
Upper tract UTI — affects the ureters or kidneys. This is a more serious problem and can cause permanent damage to the kidneys if not treated right away. A kidney infection can become life-threatening if bacteria from the infection enter the bloodstream.