What is the difference between bladder infection and kidney infection

Genetics play a role in the shape and size of your urinary tract making some individuals more prone to infections. Sexual activity —Pee as soon as possible after sex to prevent UTIs. Hygiene habits —Bubble baths and scented feminine products might feel like self-care, but they can cause irritation that leads to UTIs.

Chronic illness —Illness that causes changes to your immune system, like diabetes, can make you more prone to UTIs. When you have to go to the bathroom, you should go. Not drinking enough water —Add it to the list of reasons you should drink more water! Staying hydrated can help stave off infections.

Share this post. Keep Exploring. Risk factors for urethritis include having a sexually transmitted infection or from trauma to the urethra, such as due to the insertion of a urinary catheter. In addition to these specific risk factors for bladder infections, there are general risk factors for all UTI types. These include:. Women are also more likely than men to get UTIs because their urethra is shorter.

The bacteria have less distance to go to reach the bladder and can cause infections. Seek treatment for a bladder infection before it becomes worse and potentially causes a kidney infection. Bladder infections are uncomfortable to painful, but they are highly treatable with antibiotics. Some people are more prone to having frequent UTIs. When this is the case, a doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and preventive antibiotics. UTI prevention involves things like changing your bathroom habits, drinking lots of fluid, urinating before and after sex, and more.

There are also…. Can you have sex with a urinary tract infection? Sure — but it may worsen your symptoms, cause your UTI to last longer, and even spread the infection….

Do you have a bladder infection? Learn about seven remedies for bladder infections that can ease symptoms and get rid of the infection. Some of these…. Although all three conditions are similar, learn the differences between overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, and UTI, including what causes each.

UTIs can quickly spread, causing serious kidney infections. A person should see a doctor for any symptoms of a UTI, particularly if they are pregnant or have an underlying health condition that affects their immune system.

A person with symptoms of a kidney infection should go to the emergency room for immediate medical care. The symptoms of a kidney infection include:. UTIs can affect any part of the urinary tract, including the urethra, ureters, bladder, or in more serious cases, the kidneys. A bladder infection is a UTI that only affects the bladder.

It is not always possible to distinguish what UTI a person has because the symptoms of the different types can overlap. However, the treatment for most UTIs is the same. A doctor will typically prescribe antibiotics and recommend fluids. The more promptly a person seeks treatment, the quicker they will generally get better.

Early treatment also reduces the chances of a serious infection spreading to the kidneys or other areas of the body. A urinary tract infection can affect the bladder, the kidneys and the tubes that link them. Usually caused by bacteria, urinary tract infections are…. Urinary tract infections UTIs are not contagious, but the bacteria that cause them can travel between people.

Learn more about these infections and…. Urinary tract infections UTIs and yeast infections share some similarities, but they have distinct symptoms and treatment options. Learn about the…. Urinary tract infections can cause pain and other symptoms that can disrupt sleep. Children may be more likely to experience a high fever. Older adults may not experience typical pain or urination issues but may instead experience confusion, problems speaking, or hallucinations.

UTIs are very common in females. Wiping back to front can push bacteria from the anus toward the urethra, and sexual activity can also move bacteria from the anal area into the urethra. Additional UTI risk factors include:.

A kidney infection can result from the same factors that cause any UTI. Most kidney infections occur when an untreated UTI in the bladder transfers to one or both kidneys. According to the American Kidney Fund , other kidney infection risk factors include:.

Also, a person with an unusually shaped urinary tract may be more prone to lower UTIs and kidney infections if the shape traps bacteria.

The typical treatments for a lower UTI and a kidney infection are similar. A doctor will prescribe an antibiotic to kill the harmful bacteria, and the symptoms should clear up within 1—2 days. It is important to finish the full course of antibiotics as prescribed, even after the symptoms go away. Doing so ensures that the infection is fully treated. A serious kidney infection may need treatment in a hospital, including intravenous antibiotics and fluids.