Embaressing Infection?
 

This is so embarrassing! :( What is the difference between a bladder infection and a urinary tract infection, is there a difference? I think I may have one (I think I've had one for about the last five months or more but I'm too scared and embarrassed to see my doctor, but I think its gotten to the point where I need to as I can't cope with it any more.) I doubt I'll get any replies to this but has anyone else had one? Can nausea, headaches and dizziness be accompanied with it or is it something else? What happened when you went to the doctors, eg. what did you have to say, do, what sort of questions did they ask, etc?

UTI is an infection of the urethra (probably spelt wrong) and bladder infection is exactly what it says on the tin. If you have pain when you urinate, thats more of a sign of a UTI. All the doctor will ask you to do is provide a urine sample which they will test with a dip stick. Then you will probably be put on anti-biotics.

It is quite common to get headache and confusion with both UTI and Bladder infections.

Try to keep drinking clear fluids and see your doctor soon because sometimes it can get worse - ive been treating people in the hospital with UTIs all week.

Don't worry they wont do anything extreme - just a urine test :) and you will feel alot better once its sorted.

pee in a cup, get a dip stick in it, get results straight off, if u've got an infection usually a course of antibiotics. no biggy :)

UTI, bladder infection, urine infection, waterworks infection... all the same thing. UTI stands for urinary tract infection, and your urinary tract consists of kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra.
Typical symptoms of urine infections include going more frequently, stinging pain while/after peeing, having less control of your pee, tummy pain while peeing, lower tummy pain, and you may have a temperature and feel feverish, shivery, achey, etc.
Your doctor will ask you about these symptoms. The diagnosis can be made by dipping a sample of your pee. Antibiotics should cure it.
There's no need to feel embarrassed, it's one of THE most common things people see their doctors about.

you need to get it checked because if untreated it can become a kidney infection and you don't want that.

I agree with the above posts. Depending on your GP, you might be able to see a prescribing nurse instead of a doctor if you like. In the mean time, avoid acidic foods (like orange juice), try cranberry juice and some anti-inflammatory/painkillers can work wonders. I've found Ibuprofen works best. I know how uncomfortable and annoying they can be.

Hope you feel better soon,
Em x

Not really. UTIs are usually started in the urethra, the infection may travel up and become cystitis/bladder infection and may then get to the kidneys which has a name something like -nephritis (too tired to remember). They have different symptoms and kidney infection is a lot more serious which is why it is important to have a UTI treated to prevent it becoming a bladder or kidney infection.

From your symptoms I would say it has reached your bladder and as people have said it's pretty simple to get tested and treated for it. Kidney infections will make you very unwell so you need to get treated.

Yep, sounds like it's gotten to your bladder. Please see a doctor so they can give you antibiotics. I have had many kidney infections and they can get very bad, so get treated before it worsens. Good luck xx

Actually I am right. As I mentioned, UTI stands for urinary tract infection, and describe an infection of any part of the urinary tract.
Also, your ureters are not the same as your urethra. Ureters take urine down from the kidneys into the bladder, the urethra is where urine drains from the bladder out of your body when you pee.
I do know what I'm talking about.

You are right though, if the infection spreads to the kidneys, it is called pyelonephritis.

Crayons is a doctor, she kind of wins by default :P

Yes I was too tired when I wrote that part and just came on to correct it.