What is the difference between a bladder infection or and a urinary tract infection?
Well, they are pretty much similar and bladder infection is UTI but not every UTI is bladder infection. The causative agents can be micro-organisms, bacteria, yeast, parasites, etc but most commonly it is bacteria Escherichia coli that ends up in the urinary tract from the intestines through the anal area. In the UTI, bladder, urethra, urethral neck can be infected and if the symptoms are not treated, and bacteria expelled, it can travel all the way up to the kidneys and cause even bigger problems. Bladder infections occur mostly in women because their urethra is shorter and bacteria has less road to travel. The most common symptoms of the lower urinary tact including bladder infection are back pain, blood in the urine, cloudy urine, urinary retention, fever, frequent need to urinate, pain during urination, etc. Some of the upper urinary tract infection symptoms are chills, high fever, The treatment depends of course upon the causative agents, abut most commonly it is an appropriate antibiotic.
Urinary tract infection is the general term of having an infection anywhere along the urinary tract... So that includes kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
Bladder infection is, well, obviously located directly in the bladder.
If you have either... or you suspect you do... you have to see a doctor for treatment. Even a bladder infection can spread to the kidneys... not very good. You'll need a strong dose of anti-biotics to help fight the infection. All the best!!
Here's some information: http://ezinearticles.com/?Facts-You-Should-Know-About-Bladder-Infection&id=588160 http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Get-Rid-of-Urinary-Tract-Infection---Treat-a-UTI-Naturally&id=1768079
Take care !!
