Bladder infection
medical condition
A bladder infection, medically known as cystitis, is an infection, usually bacterial, located within the urinary bladder. Commonly called a UTI (urinary tract infection), a UTI actually refers to an infection anywhere in the group of urinary organs. More common in women than men, 1 in 5 women experience a UTI in her life. Common symptoms are difficulty urinating and painful urinating.
The urinary bladder, often just referred to simply as the bladder, is the hollow organ which stores urine before it is voided. Urine is processed in the kidneys, passes to the bladder where it is held until expelled from the body through the urethra.
Normally sterile, urine can be infected with bacteria, fungi or viruses, but the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) is most commonly found. E. coli cannot be sexually transmitted, but other microorganisms that can cause UTIs, such as Mycoplasma and Chlamydia, can be transmitted sexually.
UTIs, including bladder infections, are commonly treated with antibiotics.
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