Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
There is a connection betweenbladder infectionsandurinary tract infections (UTIs), and the terms are sometimes used synonymously. A bladder infection is a type of UTI, but not all UTIs involve the bladder. You can also develop a UTI in the urethra, ureters, or kidneys.
Learn more about the differences between bladder infections and UTIs.
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Distinguishing a bladder infection from another UTI based on symptoms alone can pose challenges. Bladder infections, like other types of UTIs, usually involve afrequent urge to urinateand pain or burning sensations when you do. Additional symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and fever, may indicate a UTI that has reached thekidneys.
Bladder InfectionPain or burning when you urinateFrequent urge to urinate, even when you only have a few dropsStrong-smelling urineCloudy or bloody urinePressure, cramping, or pain in the groin or lower abdomenUTIPain or burning when you urinateFrequent urge to urinateStrong-smelling urineCloudy or bloody urinePressure, cramping, or pain in the groin, lower abdomen, or lower backFeeling shaky or tiredFever, chillsNausea, vomiting
Bladder InfectionPain or burning when you urinateFrequent urge to urinate, even when you only have a few dropsStrong-smelling urineCloudy or bloody urinePressure, cramping, or pain in the groin or lower abdomen
Pain or burning when you urinate
Frequent urge to urinate, even when you only have a few drops
Strong-smelling urine
Cloudy or bloody urine
Pressure, cramping, or pain in the groin or lower abdomen
UTIPain or burning when you urinateFrequent urge to urinateStrong-smelling urineCloudy or bloody urinePressure, cramping, or pain in the groin, lower abdomen, or lower backFeeling shaky or tiredFever, chillsNausea, vomiting
Frequent urge to urinate
Pressure, cramping, or pain in the groin, lower abdomen, or lower back
Feeling shaky or tired
Fever, chills
Nausea, vomiting
If you have symptoms, seek medical help immediately so you can start the right treatment.
Bladder Infection
A bladder infection is the most common type of UTI.It happens when bacteria from the bowels enter the urethra and travel up to the bladder.A bladder infection is also known ascystitis.
UTI
You get a UTI when bacteria from the skin or rectum enter the urethra.The most common bacterial culprits are:
Females are more susceptible to UTI than males because the urethra is shorter and closer to the rectum. Other risk factors for UTI include:
You may also be at higher risk for UTIs if you’re pregnant or have certain health conditions, such as:
Somesexually transmitted infections (STIs)have similar symptoms. Getting the correct diagnosis is crucial to getting the right treatment.
Todiagnose a UTI, your healthcare provider will ask about your medical history and perform a physical exam. You’ll probably need to provide a urine sample if they suspect a UTI. Theurinalysiscan quickly check for bacteria in the urine stream and confirm the diagnosis.
If you have frequent UTIs or very severe symptoms, you may need anultrasound,MRI, orCT scanto check the urinary tract for abnormalities.
Acystoscopyis a test that involves inserting a long, flexible scope through the urethra and into the bladder. It’s a way for your provider to look for signs of infection. It can also help identify potential causes for recurrent UTIs, such as obstructions or lesions.
Leukocytes in Urine: What’s the Normal Range?
UTIs have the potential to spread to the kidneys, so if you have one, it’s important to see a healthcare provider. Aside from more serious kidney infections, healthcare providerstreatbladder infections and other UTIs the same way.
Because it’s a bacterial infection, your provider may prescribe an antibiotic, typically:
Be sure to take antibiotics as prescribed. Typically, antibiotics will be based on the results of a urine culture. You should start to improve within a day. You can also take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers if you need them.
Most UTIs respond to antibiotics. But overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance.When that happens, your provider may have toswitch you to different antibioticsor intravenous (IV) treatment.
Treatment for a kidney infection depends on its severity and your overall health. In addition to antibiotics, you may need OTC or prescription-strength pain relievers. You may require hospitalization if you:
In the hospital, you’ll have IV fluids and antibiotics. Most people recover within a few days.Without treatment, a kidney infection can lead tosepsis, a life-threatening condition.
You can’t eliminate the risk, but there are a few things you can do to helpprevent UTIs, especially if you have them often. These include:
Summary
A bladder infection is a type of UTI. UTI is an umbrella term for infections of the urinary tract. This includes the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys. Common symptoms include a frequent need to urinate, burning sensations during urination, and strong-smelling urine.
Antibiotics are generally effective in controlling UTIs. You can also ensure you drink plenty of fluids to flush the urinary tract. Kidney infection is more serious and may require hospitalization. Though you can’t completely prevent UTIs, you can take steps to reduce the risk. These include urinating after having sex, avoiding harsh genital products, and switching from baths to showers.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Diseases.Definition & facts of bladder infection in adults.UpToDate.Patient education: urinary tract infections in adolescents and adults (Beyond the Basics).Flores-Mireles AL, Walker JN, Caparon M, Hultgren SJ.Urinary tract infections: epidemiology, mechanisms of infection and treatment options.Nat Rev Microbiol.2015;13(5):269-284. doi:10.1038/nrmicro3432NYU Langone Health.Diagnosing urinary tract infections.Dadgostar P.Antimicrobial resistance: implications and costs.Infect Drug Resist.2019;12:3903-3910.Sepsis Alliance.Urinary tract infections.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Urinary tract infections.Hayashi Y, Kohri K.Circumcision related to urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, human immunodeficiency virus infections, and penile and cervical cancer.Int J Urol.2013;20(8):769-75. doi:10.1111/iju.12154
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Diseases.Definition & facts of bladder infection in adults.UpToDate.Patient education: urinary tract infections in adolescents and adults (Beyond the Basics).Flores-Mireles AL, Walker JN, Caparon M, Hultgren SJ.Urinary tract infections: epidemiology, mechanisms of infection and treatment options.Nat Rev Microbiol.2015;13(5):269-284. doi:10.1038/nrmicro3432NYU Langone Health.Diagnosing urinary tract infections.Dadgostar P.Antimicrobial resistance: implications and costs.Infect Drug Resist.2019;12:3903-3910.Sepsis Alliance.Urinary tract infections.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Urinary tract infections.Hayashi Y, Kohri K.Circumcision related to urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, human immunodeficiency virus infections, and penile and cervical cancer.Int J Urol.2013;20(8):769-75. doi:10.1111/iju.12154
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Diseases.Definition & facts of bladder infection in adults.UpToDate.Patient education: urinary tract infections in adolescents and adults (Beyond the Basics).Flores-Mireles AL, Walker JN, Caparon M, Hultgren SJ.Urinary tract infections: epidemiology, mechanisms of infection and treatment options.Nat Rev Microbiol.2015;13(5):269-284. doi:10.1038/nrmicro3432NYU Langone Health.Diagnosing urinary tract infections.Dadgostar P.Antimicrobial resistance: implications and costs.Infect Drug Resist.2019;12:3903-3910.Sepsis Alliance.Urinary tract infections.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Urinary tract infections.Hayashi Y, Kohri K.Circumcision related to urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, human immunodeficiency virus infections, and penile and cervical cancer.Int J Urol.2013;20(8):769-75. doi:10.1111/iju.12154
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Diseases.Definition & facts of bladder infection in adults.
UpToDate.Patient education: urinary tract infections in adolescents and adults (Beyond the Basics).
Flores-Mireles AL, Walker JN, Caparon M, Hultgren SJ.Urinary tract infections: epidemiology, mechanisms of infection and treatment options.Nat Rev Microbiol.2015;13(5):269-284. doi:10.1038/nrmicro3432
NYU Langone Health.Diagnosing urinary tract infections.
Dadgostar P.Antimicrobial resistance: implications and costs.Infect Drug Resist.2019;12:3903-3910.
Sepsis Alliance.Urinary tract infections.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Urinary tract infections.
Hayashi Y, Kohri K.Circumcision related to urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, human immunodeficiency virus infections, and penile and cervical cancer.Int J Urol.2013;20(8):769-75. doi:10.1111/iju.12154
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