What causes bladder infections and what are the symptoms?

A bladder infection is an infection that is caused by bacteria that enters the urethra. They can enter the urethra via feces that enter the tract, via intercourse, and catheters. Symptoms of a UTI include pain or burning when you urinate, urge to urinate frequently but usually passing only small quantities of urine, dribbling, pain or a feeling of heaviness in your lower abdomen, reddish or pinkish urine, foul-smelling urine, cloudy urine, pain in your back just below the rib cage, on one side of your body, fever and chills, and nausea and vomiting.

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I've had 4 bladder infections in the past 2 years and I'm only 12! i would know. the causes can be to much bubble baths or something (dirt, soap,etc.) getting in the *****. symptoms can be blood from the *****, or pain while going to the bathroom. also you might have to go a lot more often then usual. i hope that helped.

The bacteria that gets into the urethra and causes a UTI is actually a strain of E. coli. The bacteria multiply and infect the urethra and can travel up to the bladder and beyond. If left untreated it can cause serious kidney problems/failure. If the bacteria make it into the bloodstream it can cause fever and be fatal.

Symptoms are pelvic pain, abdominal or back pain, trouble urinating, delayed urination, and painful urination.

bladder infection is also called a urinary tract infection (UTI) by most medical people, so if you hear both names, don't get scared or confused. It's a bacterial infection that affects any part of the urinary tract. Although urine contains a variety of fluids. salts, and waste products, it normally does not have bacteria in it. When bacteria get into the bladder and multiply in the urine, it causes a urinary tract infection.

The most common type of UTI is a bladder infection, which is also often called cystitis. Cystitis literally means an inflammation of the bladder. The other kind of UTI is a kidney infection, which is also known as pyelonephritis. This kind of infection can be serious, but if treated quickly the kidney is most often not damaged permanently.

Although they cause discomfort, urinary tract infections are usually quickly and easily treated, but it's important that they are treated promptly. You can not get a urinary tract infection from someone else, although females who are just becoming sexually active often get UTIs. Sometimes Chlamydia can also cause a UTI.

UTIs are caused by bacteria, most often by the bacteria that are found inside the intestines and sometimes on the skin around the rectal and vaginal areas. Yes, that means from fecal contamination.

Nearly 85% of UTIs are caused by the bacteria Escherichia coli, or E. coli -- for short. When the bacteria pass through the urethra (the narrow urine canal that connects the bladder to the outside), they can get inside the bladder and cause an infection. Some females get urinary tract infections more frequently, this may be because of the differences in the shape and length of the urethra in different people. A female with a shorter urethra may get more UTIs. Most women's urethras are only about 40mm long. That's about 1 and a half inches. Males generally get fewer UTIs than females because they have longer urethras. (One advantage to having a penis. They tend to get urethritis).

There are several ways bacteria can get into the urethra. During sexual intercourse, the bacteria in the vaginal area can be pushed into the urethra, which causes irritation in the bladder. In fact, any time the vaginal area is rubbed, bacteria can be pushed into the urethra. You can get a bladder infection from oral sex too. Infections are also common in women who wear tight jeans. (Hey, I just report the facts, sorry girls).

Symptoms

There are a number of symptoms associated with UTIs. Bladder infections are characterized by an urgent desire to empty the bladder. Symptoms include frequent urination, burning or pain during urination (dysuria), bladder spasms and the feeling of having to urinate even though little or no urine actually comes out. In some cases, you may have cloudy, bloody or foul-smelling urine, and maybe a mild fever.

A kidney infection may involve more serious symptoms, including fever, chills, and nausea. There may also be cloudy or bloody urine, abdominal pain and burning, and frequent urination. Most people with kidney infections also experience back pain just above the waist.

If you have any symptoms of a urinary tract infection, you'll need to go to a health care professional right away. The symptoms won't go away if you ignore them, they'll only become worse. The quicker you begin treatment, the less uncomfortable you will be.

Battling UTI Bacteria

A physician or other health care provider can treat urinary tract infections. The first thing your doctor will do is confirm that you have a UTI by taking a clean-catch urine specimen. At the office or clinic, you'll be asked to wash your genital area with disposable wipes and then urinate into a sterile (bacteria-free) cup. If an infection is found when the specimen is examined, you'll be given antibiotics. Since there are many different antibiotics available, the doctor may then use your urine specimen for a urine culture, which is a test to identify the exact type of bacteria causing your infection. It takes about 48 hours to get results from a urine culture, so you may have to switch antibiotics depending on the results.

Although antibiotics begin fighting the infection right away, they can't stop all the symptoms right away. If you have a lot of pain, your health care provider may recommend a medication to relieve the pain in your bladder, This medicine will clear up the painful symptoms in about 3 days, although it will usually make you much more comfortable within hours. It's important to take the antibiotics until the prescription is finished. Many people stop taking the medication when they begin to feel better, but that doesn't allow the antibiotics to completely kill the bacteria, which increases the risk that the infection will reappear. If you ever develop a rash from an antibiotic or have difficulty breathing, STOP taking it immediately and call the health care provider who prescribed the medication! For some infections, you may only have to take antibiotics for 3 days, but usually you'll be on medication for 7 to 14 days.

cranberriesIt's important to drink lots of water during and after treatment because each time you urinate, the bladder cleanses itself a little bit more. Cranberry juice also has been shown to have positive effects on UTIs. DON'T use the kind of juice that says "Juice Cocktail" on the label. That has too much sugar and is not concentrated enough with cranberries. Make sure the cranberry juice is 100% juice, many brands are now 100% cranberry. Quality cranberry juice produces hippuric acid in the urine which acidifies the urine and prevents bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder. If pure cranberry juice is not available, cranberry capsules can be substituted. They can be found in most health food stores. Always take these with a large glass of water.

Vitamin C may also be recommended for you to take. If you get help right away, a UTI should completely clear up within 10 days to 2 weeks. You may be advised to avoid sexual intercourse until the symptoms have been gone for 2 weeks, which allows the inflammation to disappear completely.

it's usually caused by bacteria that gets in the uthretha. Feeling like you have to go pee even when you don't have to is the biggest sysmpton. Fever is also common as is blood in the urine. It can start as a UTI and then work up to the bladder.

Go to a doctor if you think you have a bladder infection and try better personal hygiene.

when bacteria travels up the urethra and causes infection symptoms include fever, urinary urgency, burning sensation when urinating, feeling you have to urinate frequently and only small amounts when you go to the bathroom, lower back pain, and sometimes changes in mental status

Having sex and not cleaning immediately afterwords.

Not rinsing when showering, having soap residue.

Cleaning yourself from back to front instead of front to back; you get feces in that area when you do.

not drinking enough water or unsugary liquids.

not drinking enough cranberry juice.

Having bad kidneys which will eventually get to the bladder.