What Are the Primary Causes and Potential Complications of Urinary Tract Infections?

If not treated right away, urinary tract infections can progress to your kidney and cause other complications that can lead to death.

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

• About 80% to 90% of the time, UTIs are caused by E. coli bacteria introduced to your urinary tract

• UTI-causing E. coli may be introduced to your body from the food you eat, namely chicken, as well as pork and beef

• One study suggested E. coli from food may cause 640,000 UTIs in the U.S. each year, and numbers may be higher in areas near co…