A UTI is an infection of anywhere along the urinary tract. This includes the urethra (the tube which we urinate out of), the bladder, the ureters (the tubes that connect the bladder to the kidneys), and the kidneys themselves. When doctors talk about a UTI, they tend to mean an infection of the bladder, also known as cystitis.
Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder, usually caused by a bacterial infection (although there are other reasons why people can get an inflamed bladder).
In most cases, cystitis can be treated with a short course of antibiotics.
Females are much more likely to get cystitis than men. This is because the tube women urinate out of (the urethra) is much shorter and much closer to the back passage compared to men, therefore the bacteria are more likely to get into the bladder.
Other things that can increase a woman’s chance of having cystitis are: pregnancy, being sexually active, going through menopause, having diabetes, having a reduced immune system, or having a long term catheter (a tube that goes into your bladder through which urine is collected).
There are some simple things you can do to improve the chances of not getting cystitis, such as wiping from front to back, passing urine after sexual intercourse and staying well hydrated. There is some evidence that drinking cranberry juice can help with urinary tract infections however this is not conclusive.
If you are female, speak with your doctors if you are getting two or more episodes of cystitis in six months or three or more episodes in one year. They may want to refer you to a specialist.
If you are male, speak with one of our doctors if you test positive for cystitis. They may wish to arrange further tests.
If cystitis is left untreated, then it can lead to a worse infection along the urinary tract. This can lead to sepsis - a life-threatening condition that needs to be treated in a hospital.
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