What will happen if a urinary tract infection is left untreated for over a year?

Answer 1

A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs anywhere in the urinary tract between the urethra (the outlet "pipe") and either or both of the kidneys. If it's confined to the urethra it's called urethritis. If it's in the bladder it's cystitis. If it travels up the ureter to the kidney it can develop into pyelonephritis, which is inflammation of the upper urinary tract. Acute pyelonephritis usually results from bladder infection (cystitis). It is usually treated with antibiotics and painkillers. Untreated and repeated UTIs may result in chronic pyelonephritis, which can eventually cause permanent kidney damage. A bad urinary tract infection left for over a year would undoubtedly cause some damage, if not to the kidneys then to the bladder. At the very least you would need to keep the urinary tract flushed out with copious amounts of non-caffeinated liquid.