Bladder Infection
(Cystitis-Urethritis)
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Contents:
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About Bladder Infection
A bladder infection, which is a bacterial infection of the urethra
and/or the bladder, is quite common in young, sexually active women
and uncommon in men, due to physical differences. The urethra is the
tube that carries urine from the bladder to the exterior of the body.
Localized inflammation in the urethra causes mild symptoms, which
may subside without treatment in some instances. When the infection
involves the bladder, there usually will be increasingly severe discomfort.
What are the symptoms?
Frequency and/or urgency of urination; pain and/or burning associated
with urination; sometimes blood in the urine.
What causes it?
Usually it is the bacteria which normally inhabit the lower intestinal
tract or skin surfaces that cause disease in the bladder.
What are some contributing factors?
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Intercourse and other mechanical friction can
allow bacteria, already present on the adjacent skin, to spread
into the urethra and bladder, which may cause irritation and/or
inflammation of the urethra.
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Individual variation in local tissue resistance
to infection or anatomical variations.
-
Prior urinary tract infections.
Diagnosis - Laboratory Tests
Sometimes microscopic examination of clean urine for presence of
white cells and bacteria and/or culture of urine is done to identify
a specific bacterial source.
Treatment
New! At Tang, treatment may be available by telephone if you fit
the screening criteria after phone evaluation by the Advice Nurse.
Call (510) 643-7197.
- Antibiotics are determined by clinical available data and limited
by any allergies of the patient. Each type of infection may have
a treatment of choice.
- It is critical you take the entire prescription.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol because they increase urinary frequency.
- Drink lots of fluids -- six to eight 10 oz. glasses daily.
- Avoid intercourse during the treatment.
- Follow instructions for follow-up and call the clinic if your
symptoms do not improve within 24 hours or get worse despite following
instructions.
Complications
- Chronic infection which may become resistant to treatment.
- Ascending infection from bladder to kidney.
Prevention
- Absolute cleanliness; always wipe rectal area from the front toward
the back, never the reverse.
- Urinate before and after intercourse to clean urethra.
- Use adequate amounts of lubrication with intercourse. K-Y Jelly
and Astro Glide are two lubricants available at the UHS pharmacy.
- Drink adequate water, six to eight 10 oz. glasses of liquid per
day at least until urine looks light in color.
- Empty bladder as soon as possible after intercourse; do not hold
urine for a long time.
- If you use a diaphragm and have recurrent infections, consider
having its size and type rechecked.
- Sexually transmitted infections cause symptoms similar to urethritis.
Your clinician may recommend further testing based on your history,
lab results, symptoms and/or your response to medications.
Related Services at the Tang Center
For Students:
Treatment may be available over the telephone if you fit our screening
criteria; call the Advice Nurse at (510) 643-7197 during regular business
hours.
For Faculty and Staff:
Please refer questions to your health plan or primary care provider.
Additional Online Resources
Related Topics
Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to diagnose,
treat or provide a second opinion on any health problem or disease.
It is meant to support, not replace, the relationship that exists
between an individual and his/her clinician.
Last revised: September 2005
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