UTI Teachings - Complications

When treated promptly and properly, lower urinary tract infections rarely lead to complications. But left untreated, a urinary tract infection can have serious consequences.

Complications of a UTI may include:

1. Recurrent infections, especially in women who experience three or more UTIs. 2. Permanent kidney damage from an acute or chronic kidney infection (pyelonephritis) due to an untreated UTI. 3. Increased risk in pregnant women of delivering low birth weight or premature infants. 4. Urethral narrowing (stricture) in men from recurrent urethritis, previously seen with gonococcal urethritis. 5. Sepsis, a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection, especially if the infection works its way up your urinary tract to your kidneys.