Bladder Infections/UTIs
Urinary Tract Infection is the system that makes urine and carries it out of your body. It includes your bladder and kidneys and the tubes that connect them. When germs get into this system, they can cause an infection.
Most urinary tract infections are bladder infections. A bladder infection usually is not serious if it is treated right away. If you do not take care of a bladder infection, it can spread to your kidneys. A kidney infection is serious and can cause permanent damage.
What are the symptoms?
- You may have an infection if you have any of these symptoms:
- You feel pain or burning when you urinate.
- You feel like you have to urinate often, but not much urine comes out when you do.
- Your belly feels tender or heavy.
- Your urine is cloudy or smells bad.
- You have pain on one side of your back under your ribs. This is where your kidneys are.
Bronchitis is very common in winter months and is commonly caused by a virus. It is contagious, spreading when an infected person coughs, sneezes or even talks. The acute version can also be caused by exposure to smoke, chemicals or air pollution. Cigarette smokers often suffer from chronic bronchitis.
