Bladder infection how do u get it

Some pharmacies offer a UTI management service and can prescribe antibiotics if they're needed. The bacteria enter through the tube that carries pee out of the body urethra. Women have a shorter urethra than men. This means bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys and cause an infection. Things that increase the risk of bacteria getting into the bladder include:. There is some evidence that women under 65 years old who keep getting UTIs may find it helpful to take:.

Be aware that D-mannose and cranberry products can contain a lot of sugar. Page last reviewed: 18 November Next review due: 18 November Urinary tract infections UTIs. Bacteria can get into the urethra several ways. During sex, for example, bacteria in the vaginal area may be pushed into the urethra and eventually end up in the bladder, where pee provides a good environment for the bacteria to grow.

This is why females who are sexually active often get UTIs. UTIs are not contagious, so you can't catch a urinary tract infection from someone else. Bacteria may also get into a girl's bladder if she wipes from back to front after a bowel movement BM , which can contaminate the urethral opening. The use of spermicides including condoms treated with spermicide and diaphragms as contraceptives also may increase the risk of UTIs. This is due to the inflammation and irritation of the urethra or vagina that's sometimes associated with chlamydia and other STDs.

Some people seem to get frequent UTIs, but they often have other problems that make them more likely to get an infection, like a problem in the urinary tract structures or function. The most common functional problem of the urinary tract is vesicoureteral reflux pronounced: veh-zi-coe-you-REE-tur-al , a condition in which some pee flows backward, or refluxes, from the bladder into the ureters and even up to the kidneys.

If you have any symptoms of a UTI, you'll need to go to a doctor right away. The sooner you begin treatment, the less uncomfortable you'll be. Call your doctor's office or clinic. If you can't reach your doctor, you can visit an urgent care center or hospital emergency room. The most important thing is to take action as soon as possible. Only a health care provider can treat urinary tract infections.

The first thing a doctor will do is confirm that a person has a UTI by taking a clean-catch urine specimen. At the doctor's office, you'll be asked to clean your genital area with disposable wipes and then pee into a sterile bacteria-free cup. The sample may be used for a urinalysis a test that microscopically checks the pee for germs or pus or a urine culture to grow and identify bacteria in a lab.

Knowing what bacteria are causing the infection can help your doctor choose the best treatment. UTIs are treated with antibiotics. After several days of antibiotics, your doctor may repeat the urine tests to be sure that the infection is gone.

It's important to make sure of this because an incompletely treated UTI can come back or spread. If someone has a lot of pain from a UTI, the doctor may recommend a medicine to help relieve the spasm and pain in the bladder.

This will turn pee a bright orange color, but it's harmless and will usually make a person much more comfortable within hours. Infection limited to your bladder can be painful and annoying. However, serious consequences can occur if a UTI spreads to your kidneys. Doctors typically treat urinary tract infections with antibiotics.

But you can take steps to reduce your chances of getting a UTI in the first place. Urinary tract infections don't always cause signs and symptoms, but when they do they may include:. UTIs may be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions in older adults. Each type of UTI may result in more-specific signs and symptoms, depending on which part of your urinary tract is infected. Contact your doctor if you have signs and symptoms of a UTI.

Urinary tract infections typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder.

Although the urinary system is designed to keep out such microscopic invaders, these defenses sometimes fail. When that happens, bacteria may take hold and grow into a full-blown infection in the urinary tract. The most common UTIs occur mainly in women and affect the bladder and urethra. Infection of the bladder cystitis. However, sometimes other bacteria are responsible.

Sexual intercourse may lead to cystitis, but you don't have to be sexually active to develop it. All women are at risk of cystitis because of their anatomy — specifically, the short distance from the urethra to the anus and the urethral opening to the bladder.

Urinary tract infections are common in women, and many women experience more than one infection during their lifetimes. Risk factors specific to women for UTIs include:. When treated promptly and properly, lower urinary tract infections rarely lead to complications. But left untreated, a urinary tract infection can have serious consequences. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

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