Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are responsible for more than 8.1 million visits to the doctor’s office each year. Medical treatments are available to get rid of the infection, and people can also use home remedies to relieve the symptoms. Bladder infection is a type of UTI. UTIs can develop in any part of a person’s urinary tract, which includes the ureters, urethra, bladder, and kidneys. A bladder infection, which a doctor may refer to as cystitis, is the most common type of UTI. A bladder infection is most often caused by a bacterial infection within the bladder. For people with weakened immune systems, yeast can cause bladder infections as well.

Most cases of bladder infections are acute, meaning they occur suddenly. Other cases may be chronic, meaning they recur over the long term. Early treatment is key to preventing the spread of the infection.

The symptoms of a bladder infection vary depending on the severity. You’ll immediately notice changes during urination. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Pain or burning when urinating
• Cloudy or bloody urine
• Urinating more often than usual, which is called “frequency”
• Foul-smelling urine

The symptoms of a bladder infection in children can be more difficult to notice, as they may appear to be nonspecific. Additionally, younger children may sometimes find it more difficult to communicate their symptoms to a parent or caregiver. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, some of the symptoms of a bladder infection in children under the age of 2 years include:

• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Irritability
• Poor appetite and feeding

Anyone can get bladder infections, but women are more prone to getting them than men. This is because women have shorter urethras, making the path to the bladder easier for bacteria to reach. Females’ urethras are also located closer to the rectum than men’s urethras. This means there is a shorter distance for bacteria to travel. As men age, the prostate can enlarge. This can cause blockages to the flow of urine and increase the likelihood of a man developing a UTI. UTIs tend to increase in men as they age.