UTI is a complex topic, covering many aspects and levelsIf a freshly voided urine specimen tests positive for nitrite and leucocytes, and the patient is categorised as complicated, an MSU should be sent for culture and sensitivityKey pointsThe urinary tract is made up of the upper urinary tract (the ureters and kidneys) and lower urinary tract(the bladder and the urethra) A urinary tract infection occurs when the urinarytract is invaded by a pathogenic organism Because they have a shorter urethra and their urethral orifice is closer to their anus, women are at a greater risk than men of developing a urinarytract infection Within their lifetime, one in three women compared with one in twenty men will experience a urinary tract infection and they are more susceptible tore-infection Urinary tract infection is classified either as‘uncomplicated’ in healthy, non-pregnant womenover 14 years, who have no renal or urinary tract abnormalities or ‘complicated’ in the case of men and all other women Symptoms of lower urinary tract urinary tract infection include urgency, frequency, dysuria and offensive urine, although there may also be frankhaematuria or suprapubic pain.of care. It can range from giving mild discomfort to being responsible for significant morbidity or even mortality, but is also a condition where good care can make a significant difference.