UTI vs. Bladder Infection: How to Tell the Difference

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common infection in people around the world. Most often, UTIs happen when bacteria from another part of the body gets into the urine. Some types of UTI are more serious than others, depending on what part of the urinary system is infected. 

Things can get a bit confusing given all of the different types of infections that can affect the urinary system. We’re here to help clarify the difference between a bladder infection and other kinds of UTIs. 

What is a UTI?

A UTI is an infection anywhere in the urinary tract. A UTI can affect the:

• Urethra (tube that carries urine out of the body from the bladder)

• Bladder (organ that stores urine until you pee)

• Ureters (tubes that connect the kidneys and bladder)

• Kidneys (organs that filter blood and make urine)

Most UTIs are caused by bacteria that normally live on the skin, in the intestines, or in the vagina. But, once inside the urinary tract, these bacteria can grow and cause an infection. 

Bacteria usually enter through the urethra and travel up into the bladder or kidneys. Rarely, the infection may start in another part of the body and be carried to the kidneys through the blood.

What is a bladder infection?

Cystitis (a bladder infection) is the most common type of UTI. The bladder holds urine until it’s time to go to the bathroom. That gives bacteria a chance to grow and cause symptoms. 

The symptoms of a bladder infection include:

• Pain or burning when you pee

• Pain, cramping, or discomfort in the pelvis

• A need to pee more often than usual

• A feeling like you need to go suddenly

• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine

Some factors that increase the risk for a bladder infection include:

• Having a medical condition (like an enlarged prostate) or injury (like a spinal cord injury) that prevents you from emptying your bladder completely

• Having a medical condition that weakens your immune system (like HIV or diabetes)

• Being pregnant

• Being sexually active

• Being in menopause

• Having a UTI in the past

• Using a bladder catheter 

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What’s the difference between a bladder infection and kidney infection?

Pyelonephritis (a kidney infection) typically starts as a bladder infection. Bacteria enter the urethra, and travels to the bladder where it can grow and cause a bladder infection. From there, the infection can travel up the ureters and into the kidneys. 

When a urinary tract infection reaches the kidneys, you may develop symptoms like:

• Fever

• Chills

• Vomiting

• Pain in your back or in your side

Bladder infections and kidney infections are both treated with antibiotics. But a kidney infection typically requires a longer course of antibiotics to treat. 

Below are the key differences between bladder infections and kidney infections.

Can you prevent UTIs?

Urinary tract infections can be uncomfortable. Here are steps you can take to help prevent UTIs: 

• Drink plenty of water.

• Wipe from front to back after urinating. 

• Empty your bladder after sex.

• Don’t “hold it” when you feel the need to go.

• Think about switching to a different method of birth control if you currently use one with spermicide.

• Consider vaginal estrogen if you’ve gone through menopause.

If you have frequent UTIs, your healthcare provider may recommend additional steps to reduce your risk of infection. You may need an ultrasound or CT scan to make sure nothing is blocking the flow of urine. In some cases, treating an enlarged prostate or weakness in the muscles that help empty the bladder can prevent UTI. Certain people may benefit from cranberry supplements or low-dose antibiotics for UTI prevention. 

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Written by:

Anne Jacobson, MD, MPH

Anne Jacobson, MD, MPH has been a board-certified physician since 1999. She was a full-scope family physician (inpatient, outpatient, obstetrics, and office procedures) in the Cook County Ambulatory Health Network for 15 years.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

Reviewed by:

Christine Giordano, MD

Christine Giordano, MD, is board-certified in general internal medicine. She received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed residency at Thomas Jefferson University.

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