Signs and Symptoms of Bladder Infections

A bladder infection is a type of urinary tract infection that doctors call "cystitis." The bladder is where your body stores urine. Urine is usually sterile and devoid of bacteria, but sometimes bacteria enter through the urethra and overwhelm the immune system, causing infection.

Symptoms in Adults

• The most common signs of cystitis include burning or itching during urination and a frequent need to urinate. Other symptoms are dark or cloudy urine, passing only a small amount of urine, blood in the urine and lower abdominal pain or pressure.

Symptoms in Young Children

• Toddlers and babies often exhibit nonspecific signs of a bladder infection. Symptoms may include poor feeding, fussiness and foul-smelling urine or diapers. In some toddlers and babies a fever is the only sign.

Symptoms in Older Children

• In older children the signs become closer to those of adults. Symptoms of a bladder infection in older children include burning or itching during urination, irritability, frequent need to urinate, lower abdominal pain and fever.

Symptoms in Elderly Adults

• Elderly people often exhibit atypical signs of a bladder infection. Their symptoms include a sudden change in mental state, incontinence, vomiting, loss of appetite and shortness of breath.

Diagnosis and Treatment

• Doctors diagnose cystitis by performing a urinalysis. Treatment of a bladder infection will usually consist of a course of antibiotics.