What is the risk of a uti progressing to a kidney infection?

There is a risk: If infection ascends from the bladder to the kidneys, if the urinary tracts are normal, there is little chance that infection will spread to the kidneys and cause renal impairment. If the urinary tracts are abnormal (e.g. Renal stones) and an associated disease such as diabetes is present, the infection will more likely spread to the kidneys.

UTI: A UTI is a urinary tract infection. The urinary tract begins in the kidney, with release into the renal pelvis, down the ureters, into the bladder, and then then through the urethra and then the outside world. This is a connected system, and so infection can certainly involve the kidney. So, get the UTI treated to prevent pyelonephritis.

UTIs needs treatmen: All utis should be treated firstly to rleive symptoms, secondly to prevent bladder damage & thirdly to prevent infection reaching & affecting kidneys. Risk of progression greater if you nhave bladder reflux, are physically run down, are on immunosuppressed or bacteria are virulent. Almost all utis come from fecal bacteria, enter urethra & reach bladder fromthere can ascend to kidney. % risk varies.