- A urinary tract infection is a broad term and can mean a bladder (lower urinary tract infection) or a kidney infection (pyelonephritis).
- A bladder infection is the most common type of urinary tract infection (UTI).
- UTIs are more common in females because they have a shorter urethra and it is easier for bacteria to reach the bladder from the outside world.
- Ecoli is the most common bacteria for a UTI because this is the most common bacteria of the GI tract.
- When the bacteria causing a bladder infection ascends (travels up the ureter to the kidney) this is called pyelonephritis.
- Pyelonephritis is much more serious than a bladder infection and is associated with fever, flank pain and can require hospitalization.
- When a patient tells the urologist that he or she has a “kidney” infection and the symptoms are that of the bladder ( burning, pressure, frequency and urgency)…it’s okay…we know what they are talking about.
Northeast Georgia Urological Associates 