Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) affects the bladder (cystitis) and even the kidney (pyelonephritus). UTIs are bacterial infections of the urinary tract, usually caused by the bacterium E. coli.

Symptoms of a UTI affecting the bladder include frequent and or urgent need for urination, and pain during urination (dysuria). Fever, cloudy urine, foul smelling urine or bloody urine are also symptoms (hematuria). Symptoms affecting the kidney include high fever, chills, back pain on the side of the affected kidney, nausea and vomiting.

UTIs can be treated with antibiotics, drinking plenty of water and over the counter medicines to reduce fevers and aches. Recovery can take anywhere from 3 days for patients with no medical history and up to 2 weeks for kidney infections (www.wedmd.com).

Vaginitis is an infection or inflammation of the vagina. A yeast infection is a common kind of vaginal infection.

Vaginitis can be caused but several factors. Infections from bacteria, yeast, or viruses are common reasons, but also hormonal changes, allergies, chemical irritations and even organisms passed between sexual partners.

Symptoms included itching, burning and unusual vaginal discharge. Discomfort during urination and sexual intercourse may also occur.

Prevention includes good hygiene by avoid wearing garments such as tight pants, pantyhose, and cotton panties. Doctors also recommend women avoid using vaginal sprays or heavily perfumed soaps around sensitive areas.

Treatment includes over the counter medicine and antibiotics prescribed by your doctor, depending in the severity of the infection.

There are several different types of Vaginitis. The symptoms can be similar and therefore it may be hard to judge which type of Vaginitis is present. The most common types of vaginitis are: candida or “yeast” vaginitis, bacterial vaginitis, trichomiasis vaginitis, Chlamydia vaginitis, viral vaginitis, and noninfectious vaginitis.