When does a bladder infection become a chronic infection?

The incidence of UTI is higher in women, and women are also more likely to get affected by recurrent infections. Chronic bladder infections are said to occur when the affected individual suffers from cystitis twice in six months or thrice a year.

How to reduce the risk of a bladder infection?

Expert opinions vary on whether certain lifestyle changes reduce the risk of bladder infection, but it may be helpful to: Drink plenty of liquids, especially water, to help flush out bacteria. Urinate often, especially when you feel the need. Wipe from front to back after urination or a bowel movement. Take showers rather than baths.

What are chronic urinary tract infections at Baylor medicine?

MyChart is a patient-accessible website that enables you to interact with your Baylor Medicine healthcare team. What Are Chronic Urinary Tract Infections? A chronic urinary tract infection is a repeated or prolonged bacterial infection of the bladder or urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.

What does persistence in urinary tract infection mean?

Persistence means the pathogen that caused the UTI is not completely cleared from the bladder by treatment, remains detectable in the urine, and after treatment returns to a level that once again causes symptoms of infection. This cycle of persistence can repeat indefinitely, feeling like a new infection each time.

Can a chronic bladder infection cause a recurrent UTI?

We’ve talked elsewhere about what causes UTIs. And above, we explained that recurrent UTIs can be attributed to a persistent bladder infection that is not properly eradicated by treatment. A persistent bladder infection can last for years in the form of a chronic urinary tract infection.

How to find out if you have a chronic bladder infection?

To figure out what’s causing the repeat infections, your urologist may recommend a: Urine culture test of a sample obtained with a catheter Visual exam of the bladder and urethra with a lighted scope (cystoscopy) Computerized tomography (CT) scan of the urinary tract Treatment is directed at the underlying cause, when possible.