How common are urinary tract infections?
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are most common in young to middle-aged sexually active women. Older adults of both sexes are also at increased risk.
In women:
- Every year, 11% report having a UTI.1
- 50% develop at least one UTI sometime during their lifetime.1
- Most will have future UTIs.1
- By age 70, 10% have a chronic urinary tract infection.2
In men:3
- UTIs are uncommon. When they do happen, they may be caused by an inborn structural problem.
- UTIs become more common in later life. These infections are usually caused by prostate enlargement.
UTIs are also common in babies and young children.
| Author: | Kathe Gallagher, MSW | Last Updated: June 15, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Philip Belitsky, MD, FRCSC - Urology | |
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