We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. A bladder infection is most often caused by a bacterial infection within the bladder.
For people with weakened immune systems, yeast can cause bladder infections as well. A bladder infection is a type of urinary tract infection UTI. This refers to an infection anywhere in the urinary tract, such as the bladder , kidneys , ureters , or urethra. Most cases of bladder infections are acute, meaning they occur suddenly. Other cases may be chronic , meaning they recur over the long term. Early treatment is key to preventing the spread of the infection. Bacteria that enter through the urethra and move into the bladder cause bladder infections.
Normally, the body removes the bacteria by flushing them out during urination. Bacteria can sometimes attach to the walls of the bladder and multiply quickly.
This type of bacteria is naturally present in the large intestines. An infection can occur when bacteria from the stool get onto the skin and enter the urethra. In women, the urethra is short and the outside opening is not far from the anus, so bacteria can easily move from one body system to another.
The symptoms of a bladder infection vary depending on the severity. Some of the most common symptoms include:. When bladder infections spread, they can also cause mid-back pain. This pain is associated with infection in the kidneys.
Unlike muscular back pain, this pain will be persistent regardless of your position or activity. People with catheters may only experience fever as a symptom, making diagnosis more difficult. Acute pyelonephritis is a sudden and severe kidney infection. If an individual develops this condition they could also experience upper back and side pain, high fever, shaking, chills, fatigue , and mental changes.
It is considered an emergency and should be evaluated by a doctor immediately if suspected. If a person has a bladder infection, they could also experience low fever, and pressure and cramping in the abdomen and lower back. Recurrent or long-lasting kidney infections can cause permanent damage, and some sudden kidney infections can be life-threatening, particularly if bacteria enter the bloodstream in a condition known as septicemia.
They can also increase the risk of women delivering infants that are premature or have a low birth weight. Individuals are advised to contact a doctor if they develop the symptoms of a UTI, especially if they have developed the symptoms of a potential kidney infection. Diagnosis will usually be made after asking about the symptoms and testing a urine sample to assess the presence of white blood cells, red blood cells, and bacteria. This requires that a person wash their genital area before providing a urine sample mid-flow.
This helps to prevent bacteria from around the genital area getting caught in the sample. If a person has recurrent UTIs, a doctor may request further diagnostic testing to determine if anatomical issues or functional issues are to blame. Such tests may include:. UTIs in men are rare. The incidence for men under the age of 50 years is between 5 and 8 men in every 10, The risk of infection increases with age. For men, however, the prostate is also at risk of infection. A man with a circumcised penis is less likely to get a UTI that a man who has not undergone circumcision.
As UTIs are normally caused by bacteria, they are most commonly treated with antibiotics or antimicrobials. The type of medication and length of treatment will depend on the symptoms and medical history of the individual.
Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Urinary Tract Infection. Minus Related Pages. Do you have pain or burning when you urinate? You might have a urinary tract infection UTI. On This Page. What is a urinary tract infection UTI? Close A female urinary tract, including the bladder and urethra. To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: Email Address. Urinary tract infections UTIs. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Urinary tract infections. National Institutes of Health. Hooton TM, et al. Acute uncomplicated cystitis and pyelonephritis in women. Recurrent urinary tract infection in women. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
Takhar SS, et al. Diagnosis and management of urinary tract infection in the emergency department and outpatient settings. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America. Overactive bladder OAB : Lifestyle changes. Urology Care Foundation. Accessed July 3, Warner KJ.
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