Ask An Expert: Spreading Bladder Infections
Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School
Ask An Expert: Spreading Bladder Infections
Question:
Can bladder infections be spread to your partner?
Answer:
Bladder infections are not spread from one person to another, even by partners with close sexual contact. Bladder infections are caused by bacteria growing within the bladder. The bacteria that typically cause infection are normally found on the skin of the genital area just outside the bladder. If bacteria enter the bladder and are not flushed out by urination or removed by the immune system, infection will occur.
Bladder infections, also called bacterial cystitis, cause pain and burning, frequent urination, and sometimes blood in the urine. Antibiotic medication is the treatment for infection. Drinking plenty of fluids and emptying the bladder regularly help to prevent infections from occurring.
Joan Bengtson, M.D., is assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproduction at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
| Last updated: | January 24, 2007 |
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Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.
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