Bladder and Urinary-Tract Infections.

What is the difference between a urinary-tract infection (UTI) and a bladder infection?
UTI refers to an infection anywhere in the urinary tract, including the bladder, the urethra, the ureters and the kidneys. A bladder infection refers to an infection in the bladder only. The terms are often used interchangeably.

Why do I get more bladder infections now that I'm pregnant?
This happens because of changes in your urinary tract. The uterus sits directly on top of the bladder and on the tubes leading from the kidneys to the bladder, called ureters. As the uterus grows, its increased weight can block the drainage of urine from the bladder, causing a bladder infection. Between 5 and 10% of all pregnant women experience bladder infections.

How does my doctor check for bladder infections?
Usually your doctor will do a urinalysis and a urine culture at your first visit. He or she may also check your urine for infections on subsequent visits.

I've heard about a more serious urinary-tract infection called pyelonephritis. What is it?
Pyelonephritis is an infection of the urinary tract that also involves the kidneys. It occurs in 1 to 2% of all pregnant women.

What are the symptoms of pyelonephritis?
In addition to the symptoms of a bladder infection, symptoms of pyelonephritis include high fever, chills and back pain.

How is pyelonephritis treated?
It may require hospitalization and treatment with intravenous antibiotics.