Common warning signs of urinary tract infections (UTIs) include experiencing a painful or burning sensation when urinating, needing to urinate more frequently, or feeling a sudden urgency to urinate.
Pharmacist Nonkululo Cingo of Medipost Pharmacy explains that UTIs are bacterial infections of the urinary system.
UTIs can affect any part of the urinary tract, says Cingo. This includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters (which carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder), and the urethra (the tube through which urine exits the body).
Other symptoms may include cloudy urine, blood in the urine, and pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen or pelvic area.
Various risk factors can contribute to the development of a UTI: