HealthInfo Canterbury

Cystitis

Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder. It's usually caused by a urine infection, also referred to as a urinary tract infection (UTI). But drugs, radiation therapy and irritants such as having a long-term urinary catheter can also cause inflammation.

Symptoms of cystitis

Symptoms can include:

• pain, stinging or a burning feeling when passing urine (wee)
• needing to pass urine frequently
• passing frequent, small amounts of urine
• a fever
• pain or tenderness in your tummy.

Young children may be irritable and have a reduced appetite.

Cystitis can cause a kidney infection and blood in urine. It can also have more serious complications though this is rare.

Diagnosing cystitis

Your GP will examine you and ask you questions about your general health. Your doctor will diagnose a urine infection by getting you to have a urine test.

Treating cystitis

Your doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics to get rid of the infection. Make sure you finish all the antibiotics you're prescribed, even if you're feeling better. They'll suggest pain relief to dull the pain and lower your temperature. They'll also tell you to drink plenty of fluids.

If you keep getting cystitis, your GP may give you a prescription for antibiotics. You should only take the antibiotics if you develop symptoms. Your GP may also prescribe a long-term low dose of antibiotics that you take for several months.

Preventing cystitis

There are several things that may prevent cystitis:

• drink plenty of fluid
• have a shower instead of a bath
• pass urine frequently, making sure your bladder is fully emptied.

Drinking cranberry juice may reduce your risk of getting cystitis but this is not proven.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• Patient:
  • Cystitis in women

    A short factsheet about the symptoms and treatment of cystitis.

  • Recurrent cystitis in women

    This factsheet explains more about recurrent cystitis.

On the next page: Interstitial cystitis

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Page created November 2019.

Sources

Page reference: 628316

Review key: HIURS-53047