UTI Vs Bladder Infection - Understanding The Difference

All bladder infections are urinary tract infections (UTIs), but there are other types of UTIs. Most of them affect the bladder but can also affect other parts of the urinary tract.


A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a general term used to describe any infection affecting the urinary tract. This includes the bladder but can also include the kidneys, urethra, and ureters. Symptoms of each of these types of infections tend to overlap, but the location of the infection affects what symptoms someone experiences.

What Are the Symptoms of a Bladder Infection?

Bladder infection symptoms include:

  • Burning sensation when urinating (dysuria)

  • Difficulty urinating

  • Pelvic pain (especially right above the pubic bone)

  • Feeling of needing to urinate but without much success

UTI symptoms are often similar, but many other symptoms might arise. These include:

  • Itching or irritation at the end of the urethra

  • Frequent urination

  • Chills

  • Fever

  • Foul-smelling urine

  • Cloudy urine

  • Lower back pain

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Pink- or red-hued urine

Many of these UTI symptoms indicate that the infection is in the kidneys.

Some UTIs produce no symptoms, especially early in their development. Unfortunately, this can allow the infection to worsen. It might also be difficult to detect an infection when caring for a loved one. Test strips are available that can help you diagnose a potential UTI and seek medical treatment before it worsens.

Which Is Worse: UTI vs Bladder Infection?

Bladder infections are usually less serious than UTIs, especially when the kidneys are affected. Many consider a kidney infection the worst type of UTI because it’s painful and puts you at risk of more serious medical complications.

Kidney infections occur when a bladder or urethra infection travels into the kidneys. It’s a very serious infection and can be extremely painful. It can lead to hospitalization; if left untreated, the infection can spread into the bloodstream and be fatal. It’s essential to seek medical attention as soon as you suspect you have a kidney infection. In many cases, these infections must be treated with intravenous antibiotics.

Anyone can develop a bladder infection or urinary infection. However, a few things raise your risk of both types. For example:

  • Pregnancy

  • Diabetes

  • Immune system issues

  • Enlarged prostate

  • Low estrogen (especially post-menopause)

  • History of kidney stones

  • Being female due to a shorter urethra

  • Having a sexually transmitted infection (STI)

  • Trauma to the urethra

  • Use of a urinary catheter

Things that increase your risk specifically for a bladder infection include:

  • Not urinating often enough, allowing bacteria to collect in the bladder (going every two to three hours is recommended)

  • Not drinking enough water

Treatment for UTIs and Bladder Infections

UTI treatment depends on the severity of the infection. The sooner you seek medical attention, the better. A simple urinary infection is easier to treat than something more complicated.

Additionally, most bladder infections are also simple and relatively easy to treat, especially if you seek treatment early.

In most cases, a three- to five-day course of antibiotic medication is enough to clear up the infection. Common antibiotics used to treat bladder infections include:

  • Ciprofloxacin

  • Trimethoprim

  • Amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium

Finishing the full course of medication prescribed to you is important, even if your symptoms ease up. This reduces the risk of the infection returning.

Treating complicated infections tends to be more challenging. This is the case with kidney infections. In many cases, kidney infections and other complicated UTIs require IV antibiotic treatments and a round of antibiotics for several days after hospitalization.

You can do a few things at home to support healing from a bladder infection or UTI. These home remedies might also effectively reduce your risk of developing UTIs.

Home remedies you can try include:

  • Drink enough fluids, especially water, to the point that your urine is pale yellow

  • Drink pure 100% cranberry juice (this doesn’t work for everyone, but some people have had success)

  • Wipe from front to back after urinating

  • Use the bathroom as soon as you get the urge and avoid holding urine for long periods

  • Always empty your bladder before bed (this also prevents accidents and ensures a better night of sleep)

  • Urinate and clean your genital area soon after sex

  • Apply a warm compress or heating pad to the pubic area to ease discomfort during an infection

Keeping the genital area clean is an essential part of preventing UTIs. This is especially true when caring for a loved one. There are tools available that make clean-up easier.

The good news about UTIs and bladder infections is that both are mostly preventable. Simple actions, such as using the bathroom frequently, proper hygiene practices, and staying hydrated, are often enough to reduce your risk of developing either type of infection.

SCI Supply offers UTI test strips and other products that can help you prevent bladder infections and UTIs. We understand first-hand how vital these products are for maintaining good health. This enables us to design our business with the customer as the focal point.

When shopping with us, you’ll receive better support than at big box stores. Many of these stores have little to no knowledge about these products. Customers enjoy fast shipping across Canada and the United States. You can order from a large inventory of many leading brands and products.

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