It can sometimes be difficult to determine whether you have a UTI (urinary tract infection) or an STD (sexually transmitted disease). UTIs may present with symptoms similar to those of sexually transmitted infections, such as a burning sensation, and vice versa. In this blog we discuss the differences between the two infections and how to tell the difference.
What is a urinary tract infection?
A urinary tract infection (or UTI) is an infection of the urinary system and urinary tract and is usually caused by bacteria. UTIs most often occur in the bladder (called cystitis) and urethra (called urethritis). Urinary tract infections are usually mild, but if left untreated they can spread to other parts of the urinary tract, such as the kidneys (called pyelonephritis). Pyelonephritis is more serious and can cause permanent damage to the kidneys.
What is an STD?
An STD is a sexually transmitted disease that is transmitted through sexual intercourse and certain other forms of non-sexual contact. STDs can be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites.
What is the difference between a UTI and an STD?
Unlike STDs, urinary tract infections are not spread through sexual contact (they do not spread from person to person at all) and you do not have to be sexually active to get a urinary tract infection. However, sexual activity can contribute to the risk of a urinary tract infection.
STDs and UTIs can cause similar symptoms, which is one reason they are often confused. Symptoms they have in common include painful or difficult urination, frequent urination, and the urge to urinate. Urine may smell cloudy, dark, or strange. Both infections can be asymptomatic, but this is more true for STDs.
There are some STD symptoms that are not caused by UTIs:
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Bleeding or spotting between menstrual cycles
- Changes in vaginal or penile discharge
- Genital rash, blisters or sores
- Rectal pain, discharge or bleeding
In addition to similar symptoms, urinary tract infections and STDs can produce similar findings on urinalysis, often leading to misdiagnosis. Several studies have shown that as many as half of patients diagnosed with urinary tract infections in the emergency room may have STDs instead.
What causes a UTI?
Most urinary tract infections are caused by E. coli bacteria. E. coli is a harmless microorganism if it is present in your intestines, colon and around the anus, but if it enters the urinary tract it will cause a urinary tract infection. Most urinary tract infections start when bacteria are introduced into the opening of the urethra (the part of the urinary tract that carries urine outside the body) and make their way into the urinary tract. One way this is done is by swiping from back to front.
You may also be at greater risk for contracting a UTI by:
- Being a woman; Women have a shorter urethra and the urethra is closer to the anus than men, making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder.
- Having a new sexual partner or having recent sexual activity, as sexual activity can cause bacteria to be pushed to and into the urethra.
- Wearing tight-fitting clothing or underwear that is not breathable.
- Using a diaphragm or spermicide for contraception.
- Urinating through a catheter.
- Be pregnant.
- A blockage of the urinary tract can occur with kidney stones or an enlarged prostate.
- Being post-menopausal
- Have a weakened immune system, such as with diabetes or AIDS.
You can reduce your risk of a urinary tract infection by:
- Stay hydrated.
- Frequent urination.
- Urination after sexual activity. This can flush out harmful bacteria that may have entered the urethra during intercourse.
- Wearing cotton underwear or underwear with a cotton crotch.
- Cotton is breathable and can prevent moisture and bacteria from being trapped against the opening of the urethra.
- Shower instead of bathing. Sitting in bath water can cause bath products or dirty water to enter the urinary tract.
Can an STD cause a urinary tract infection?
In short: yes, but rarely. Although most urinary tract infections are caused by E. coli bacteria, this is not always the case. Other types of bacteria, fungi and viruses can lead to urinary tract infections, although these are less common. In some cases, bacteria that cause STDs, such as Chlamydia, can cause urinary tract infections. And because urinary tract infections occur in near-genital organs and can share symptoms with STDs, the two types of infections are often mistakenly confused.
How do you know if you have a UTI or STD?
The only way to find out if you have a urinary tract infection or an STD is to get tested. Although urinary tract infections usually cause symptoms, sometimes they do not, and STDs are often asymptomatic. If you experience symptoms of any kind, it is best to get tested as soon as possible.
Therapy
Whether you have a urinary tract infection or an STD, neither infection will go away on its own. However, UTIs and most STDs can be treated with medications. After you have been tested at an STD testing center, the testing provider or your doctor should be able to give you a course of medication, if necessary, to treat your infection.
Hopefully this blog has helped to clear up any confusion you might have about urinary tract infections and STDs. For more information about sexual health and STD testing, visit the Priority STD blog.