RA
1
1
Mild severity
· MD Medicine
Urinary Tract Infection
UTI · Cystitis · Bladder infection
Bacteria infect the bladder, causing burning urination. Easily treated with antibiotics; recurrent cases need a workup.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- 1 in 2 women lifetime
- Typical age
- Adult women
- Outlook
- Curable
- System
- Hormones
Reviewed by a verified MD Medicine doctor
What causes it
Causes
- E. coli most common
- Female anatomy (short urethra)
- Sexual activity
- Diabetes
- Stones, obstruction
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Burning during urination
- Frequent urination, small amounts
- Lower abdominal pain
- Cloudy or smelly urine
- Fever and back pain — kidney involvement
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Urine culture, then antibiotics
- Hydration
- Treat underlying cause
- Prophylaxis if recurrent
- Vaginal estrogen post-menopause
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Wipe front to back
- Urinate after sex
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid harsh perfumed soaps
- Treat constipation
Do’s
- Hydrate well
- Complete the antibiotic course
- Urinate when you feel the urge
- See doctor if fever or back pain
Don’ts
- Hold urine for hours
- Stop antibiotics when burning eases
- Use feminine sprays / douches
- Ignore blood in urine
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
Top specialists
See all md medicine doctors Top 4 doctors for Urinary Tract Infection
Ranked by patient rating, years of experience and review volume. All verified by MediConsult’s clinical team.
RS
2
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BS
3
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PP
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.