Bladder Infection (Cystitis)

What is a bladder infection?

A bladder infection, also called cystitis, is a type of urinary tract infection. The inner lining of the bladder becomes inflamed (red and swollen) and the urine is full of bacteria.

How does it occur?

Bacteria usually cause the infection. Rarely a virus may cause it. Normally there should be no bacteria in the urinary tract. A bladder infection occurs when bacteria travel up the urethra and into the bladder.

Women are more likely to have bladder infections than men because their urethra is shorter. The short urethra makes it easier for bacteria from the anus or genital area to reach the bladder. This can happen during such activities as wiping after using the toilet or sexual intercourse. Most infections of the urinary tract are caused this way.

Bladder infections often occur in young women who have just become sexually active.

A place for bacteria to grow in the urine may be created by something pushing on the bladder and blocking the flow of urine. This may not allow the bladder to empty completely. For example, the pressure from a baby during pregnancy can cause this problem.

What are the symptoms?

Possible symptoms of a bladder infection include:

• urinating more often
• feeling an urgent need to urinate
• a burning, stinging, or pressure sensation during urination
• a crampy pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen just above the pubic bone or sometimes in the lower back
• a need to urinate more often in the night
• cloudy urine that smells bad
• blood in the urine
• leaking of urine
• fever and occasionally chills.

How is it diagnosed?

Your health care provider will examine you and may ask for a urine sample. You may also have blood tests. More tests may be done if you have had several infections.

How is it treated?

Bladder infection is a common problem that is usually easily treated. Your health care provider will prescribe an antibiotic to kill bacteria and prevent the spread of infection to your kidneys.

Your health care provider may also prescribe Pyridium, a medicine that helps reduce the pain and spasm of the bladder during the first couple of days. Pyridium will turn your urine orange and may stain your clothing.

In some cases your health care provider may ask you to have a follow-up visit after you have taken all of the antibiotic so another sample of your urine can be tested. This is to make sure the infection is gone.

How long will the effects last?

Prompt treatment of a bladder infection with antibiotics usually relieves the symptoms in 24 to 48 hours.

How can I take care of myself?

• Take all of the antibiotic that your health care provider prescribes, even when you feel better. Do not take medication left over from previous prescriptions.

• If your provider prescribed Pyridium, use it to feel better while you are waiting for the antibiotic to work.

• Drink more fluids, especially water, to help flush the bacteria from your system.

• Follow your health care provider's directions for a follow-up urine test. Your provider may want to test your urine soon after you finish taking the antibiotic.

• Follow your health care provider's recommendation for regular urine testing to check for recurrence.

If you have a fever:

• Rest in bed if your temperature is over 100 F (38 C).

• Ask your health care provider if you should take aspirin or acetaminophen to control your fever. Anyone under the age of 21 with a fever should not take aspirin because of an increased risk of Reye's syndrome.

• Keep a record of your daily temperature.

Call your health care provider if you are not getting better after you have taken the antibiotic for 48 hours.

What can I do to help prevent bladder infection?

To help prevent a bladder infection from recurring, urinate often during the day and empty your bladder completely each time.

In addition women should follow these guidelines:

• Drink plenty of water and other noncaffeinated drinks. (Caffeine can cause the body to lose fluids.)

• Do not delay urinating when you feel the need to urinate.

• Keep the vaginal area clean. Wipe from front to back after a bowel movement. Be sure to wash the genital area each time you bathe or shower. However, use soap only on the outside of your vagina. The chemicals in soap may cause additional irritation.

• Urinate after intercourse. Never combine anal and vaginal intercourse.

• Wear cotton underwear, which allows better air circulation than nylon. Wear pantyhose with cotton crotches.

• Avoid tight clothes in the genital area, such as control-top pantyhose and tight jeans. Do not wear a wet bathing suit for long periods of time.

• During pregnancy, tell your health care provider if you have a history of urinary tract problems. Your provider may order tests for bacteria in your urine before you have symptoms of infection.

If you have stopped having your periods because of menopause and are not taking estrogen, your provider might suggest a vaginal cream. Sometimes this cream helps prevent bladder infections after menopause.

For women who have a history of recurrent urinary tract problems, health care providers may prescribe antibiotics to be taken after intercourse to prevent cystitis from recurring.

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Developed by McKesson Health Solutions LLC.
Published by McKesson Health Solutions LLC.
The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

Copyright 2004 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.

This article is reprinted with permission from the University of Michigan Health System Women's Health Program, which can be visited at http://www.med.umich.edu