FAQs about UTIs

A UTI is an infection of the urinary tract; most commonly caused by bacteria that are normally found in the digestive tract called E. Coli that may find their way into the bladder or urethra, usually because of improper wiping or sexual activity.

A UTI is considered recurrent if you have had two or more urinary tract infections diagnosed by your doctor in the last 6 months.¹

A vaginal yeast infection (also known as thrush or candida) is different to a UTI. Unlike UTIs, which are most commonly caused by bacteria, a yeast infection is caused by a different type of organism (yeast), and therefore they have different treatments. While they can share some common symptoms, there are a number of differences, including the frequent urge to urinate caused by a UTI. Speak to your health professional about your symptoms if you are unsure.

If you suspect you may have a UTI based on the symptoms you have, your health professional may request a urine sample to test for evidence of the infection. They will then be able to recommend the best treatment for your infection.

There are a number of things you can do to prevent a UTI. See our section on UTI prevention for more information.

Generally speaking, most UTIs are not passed from one person to another. However, sexually active women are vulnerable, due to the anatomy of the urethra being only about 4 cm long. If either you or your partner has symptoms of a UTI, you should speak to your health professional.

Hiprex is suitable for use in pregnancy. Speak to your health professional for more information.

While there is information on remedies for UTIs available on the Internet, they may not be supported by conclusive evidence for their effectiveness to provide relief from symptoms, treat the cause or prevent recurrent infections. However, there are a number of treatments available that help relieve symptoms and some that treat the cause of UTIs available. See our section on UTI treatments for more information.