A urinary tract infection (UTI) and a bladder infection are often confused, though they describe different scopes of infection within the body’s system. Understanding the relationship requires looking at the anatomy of the urinary system and where the infection has taken hold. This distinction is important because the location of the infection directly influences the severity of symptoms and the necessary treatment approach.
The Relationship Between UTIs and Bladder Infections
A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is the overarching term for an infection anywhere in the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. When bacteria from the digestive tract, most often Escherichia coli, gain entry through the urethra and multiply, an infection occurs.
A bladder infection is known medically as cystitis, which means inflammation specifically confined to the bladder. Cystitis represents the most common type of UTI. Another type of lower UTI is urethritis, an infection limited to the urethra. The essential difference is that every bladder infection is technically a UTI, but not all UTIs are bladder infections. Identifying the precise location of the infection is necessary for medical professionals to determine the appropriate response.
Signs of a Lower Tract Infection
Symptoms of an infection in the lower urinary tract (bladder and urethra) are typically localized and primarily affect urination. The most frequently reported symptom is dysuria, a burning or painful sensation during the act of passing urine. This discomfort can be felt at the start of urination or immediately after finishing.
Another common sign is urinary urgency, the sudden, strong need to urinate that is difficult to postpone. Urgency is often accompanied by frequency, meaning a person needs to urinate more often than usual but passes only small amounts of urine. Patients may also notice a cloudy appearance or a strong, unusual odor to their urine. They may also feel pressure or pain in the pelvic area or lower abdomen, above the pubic bone.
Indicators of an Upper Tract Infection
When a lower tract infection is left untreated, bacteria can ascend the ureters and reach the kidneys, causing pyelonephritis. This upper tract infection is serious because it involves the kidneys, the body’s primary blood filters. Unlike the localized discomfort of a bladder infection, a kidney infection presents with systemic symptoms that affect the entire body.
A high fever, often exceeding 101°F, along with shaking chills, indicates the infection has spread. Patients frequently experience deep, aching pain in the flank or lower back, typically on one side just below the ribs. Nausea and vomiting are also common systemic complaints accompanying pyelonephritis.
Medical Confirmation and Treatment Options
Diagnosing a UTI begins with a medical evaluation of symptoms, confirmed using laboratory tests. A midstream urine sample is collected for a urinalysis, which checks for the presence of white blood cells, red blood cells, and bacteria. If infection is confirmed, a urine culture is often performed to identify the specific bacteria and determine which antibiotics will be most effective. The standard treatment for most UTIs is a course of antibiotics, though the duration varies depending on the infection’s location and severity.
An uncomplicated lower UTI may be treated with a short course of oral antibiotics, often lasting only three to seven days. For symptomatic relief of painful urination, urgency, and burning, a urinary analgesic such as phenazopyridine may be prescribed for a maximum of two days. This analgesic only treats the symptoms and not the underlying bacterial cause.
A kidney infection (pyelonephritis) requires more aggressive treatment. This may involve a longer course of oral antibiotics or, in severe cases, hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics. Patients must complete the entire course of medication as prescribed, even if symptoms improve quickly. This ensures the complete eradication of the bacteria and prevents the infection from developing resistance.