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Here’s why pain might last after persistent urinary tract infections

The immune response spurs nerve growth in mice, possibly explaining the unending pain

Paper that reads "Diagnostic assessment" and "Diagnosis: Urinary Tract Infection" appears next to a syringe and a pill canister.

The reason behind the lingering pain from some urinary tract infections has long eluded researchers. New research ties it to nerve growth triggered by immune responses.

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By Helen Bradshaw

Urinary tract infections are painful, inconvenient and incredibly common. For decades, doctors haven’t had any leads on why, even after several rounds of antibiotics, UTI pain can linger.