How do you get bladder infection female

Check if it's a urinary tract infection (UTI)

Symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) may include:

• pain or a burning sensation when peeing (dysuria)
• needing to pee more often than usual during the night (nocturia)
• pee that looks cloudy, dark or has a strong smell
• needing to pee suddenly or more urgently than usual
• needing to pee more often than usual
• blood in your pee
• lower tummy pain or pain in your back, just under the ribs
• a high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
• a very low temperature below 36C

Children

Children with UTIs may also:

• have a high temperature – your child is feeling hotter than usual if you touch their neck, back or tummy
• appear generally unwell – babies and young children may be irritable and not feed or eat properly
• wet the bed or wet themselves
• be sick

Older, frail people or people with a urinary catheter

In older, frail people who have problems with memory, learning and concentration (such as dementia), and people with a urinary catheter, symptoms of a UTI may also include:

• changes in behaviour, such as acting agitated or confused (delirium)
• wetting themselves (incontinence) that is worse than usual
• new shivering or shaking (rigors)

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

• you have symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) for the first time
• your child has symptoms of a UTI
• you're a man with symptoms of a UTI
• you're pregnant and have symptoms of a UTI
• you're caring for an older, frail person who may have symptoms of a UTI
• you have symptoms of a UTI after surgery
• your symptoms get worse or do not improve within 2 days
• your symptoms come back after treatment

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

You think you, your child or someone you care for may have a urinary tract infection (UTI) and:

• have a very high temperature, or feel hot and shivery
• have a very low temperature below 36C
• are confused or drowsy
• have pain in the lower tummy or in the back, just under the ribs
• can see blood in your pee

These symptoms could mean you have a kidney infection, which can be serious if it's not treated as it could cause sepsis.

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Treatment from a GP

If a GP thinks you may have a urinary tract infection (UTI), they may do a urine test, although this is not always needed.

A GP may also:

• offer self-care advice and recommend taking a painkiller
• give you a prescription for a short course of antibiotics
• give you a prescription for antibiotics, but suggest you wait for 48 hours before taking them in case your symptoms go away on their own

It's important to take all the medicine you're prescribed, even if you start to feel better.

Treatment from a GP for UTIs that keep coming back

If your UTI comes back after treatment, or you have 2 UTIs in 6 months, a GP may:

• prescribe a different antibiotic or prescribe a low-dose antibiotic to take for up to 6 months
• prescribe a vaginal cream containing oestrogen, if you have gone through the menopause
• refer you to a specialist for further tests and treatments

In some people, antibiotics do not work or urine tests do not pick up an infection, even though you have UTI symptoms.

This may mean you have a long-term (chronic) UTI that is not picked up by current urine tests. Ask the GP for a referral to a specialist for further tests and treatments.

Long-term UTIs are linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer in people aged 60 and over.

Things you can do yourself

To help ease symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI):

• take paracetamol up to 4 times a day to reduce pain and a high temperature – for people with a UTI, paracetamol is usually recommended over NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or aspirin
• you can give children liquid paracetamol
• rest and drink enough fluids so you pass pale urine regularly during the day
• avoid having sex

Some people take cystitis sachets or cranberry drinks and products every day to prevent UTIs from happening, which may help. But there's no evidence they help ease symptoms or treat a UTI if the infection has already started.

A pharmacist can help with UTIs

You can ask a pharmacist about treatments for a UTI.

A pharmacist can:

• offer advice on things that can help you get better
• suggest the best painkiller to take
• tell you if you need to see a GP about your symptoms

Some pharmacies offer a UTI management service. They may be able to give antibiotics if they're needed.

Find a pharmacy

Causes of urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are usually caused by bacteria from poo entering the urinary tract.

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:

• having sex
• pregnancy
• conditions that block the urinary tract – such as kidney stones
• conditions that make it difficult to fully empty the bladder – such as an  enlarged prostate in men and constipation in children
• urinary catheters (a tube in your bladder used to drain urine)
• having a weakened immune system – for example, people with diabetes or people having chemotherapy
• not drinking enough fluids
• not keeping the genital area clean and dry

How to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs)

There are some things you can try to help prevent a urinary tract infection (UTI) happening or prevent it returning.

Do

• wipe from front to back when you go to the toilet

• keep the genital area clean and dry

• drink plenty of fluids, particularly water – so that you regularly pee during the day and do not feel thirsty

• wash the skin around the vagina with water before and after sex

• pee as soon as possible after sex

• promptly change nappies or incontinence pads if they're soiled

Don’t

• do not use scented soap

• do not hold your pee in if you feel the urge to go

• do not rush when going for a pee – try to fully empty your bladder

• do not wear tight synthetic underwear, such as nylon

• do not drink lots of alcoholic drinks, as they may irritate your bladder

• do not have lots of sugary food or drinks, as they may encourage bacteria to grow

• do not use condoms or a diaphragm or cap with spermicidal lube on them – try non-spermicidal lube or a different type of contraception

  How do you catch a bladder infection?

  It's pretty easy to get a urinary tract infection. Bacteria that live in the vagina, genital, and anal areas may enter the urethra, travel to the bladder, and cause an infection. This can happen during sexual activity when bacteria from your partner's genitals, anus, fingers, or sex toys gets pushed into your urethra.

  What are symptoms of bladder infection in females?

  Symptoms of a bladder infection can include:.

  Pain or burning while urinating..

  Frequent urination..

  Feeling the need to urinate despite having an empty bladder..

  Bloody urine..

  Pressure or cramping in the groin or lower abdomen..

  What is the number one cause of bladder infection?

  Bacteria are the most common cause of UTIs, although fungi rarely can also infect the urinary tract. E. coli bacteria, which live in the bowel, cause most UTIs. The female anatomy contributes to women's increased likelihood of contracting a UTI.

  Are bladder infections caused by poor hygiene?

  Bad hygiene can cause a UTI: This is not true. You will not get a UTI from not showering regularly, nor can you get one from close contact from someone with poor hygiene. Men don't get UTIs: While more common in women, it is still possible for a man to have a UTI.