How can I tell the difference between a UTI and an STD?

The only way to know for sure if you have an STD rather than a UTI is to visit a medical clinic or anywhere you're able to get tested or screened for STDs. It takes a simple test to figure out what you have – and usually a simple course of antibiotics to treat it.

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Urinary Tract Infections (or UTIs) are commonly diagnosed in thousands of people every year; the same is true with the most common Sexually Transmitted Diseases (or STDs) like gonorrhea and chlamydia. The symptoms of many common STDs can cross over and be similar to some of the symptoms you might experience if you have a UTI. This can be worrying for anyone who isn’t sure which they have: Sexually transmitted infections and conditions can be more serious than your routine UTI and they are more likely to transfer from one person to another.

UTI or STD: How to Tell the Difference

Here’s how to tell the difference between a UTI and STD – and when to see a doctor.

What is UTI?

A UTI is an infection caused by bacteria that get into any of the four parts of the urinary tract (urethra, bladder, ureter, kidneys) and then multiply. Bladder infections are the most common type of UTI, but not all UTIs are bladder infections.

Each component of the urinary tract performs a vital function:

The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside the body.

Bladder stores urine until it goes to the urethra.

The ureter is the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

Kidneys filter waste from the blood to produce urine.

The bacteria known as Escherichia coli (E. coli) are responsible for about 90% of all UTI cases. E. coli is usually found naturally on the colon or around the anuses of humans and animals. Female urethras are much closer to the anus than in male anatomy, resulting in UTIs being more prominent among women. The female urethra is also much shorter, which means bacteria have less distance to travel to reach the bladder, again making females more susceptible to UTIs. It is estimated that nearly half of all women will have at least one UTI in their lifetime.

Male UTI Symptoms

While urinary tract infections are more common in women, it is possible for men to get them, too. UTI symptoms in men include:

Frequent urination

Persistent urge to urinate (urgency)

Burning or tingling during or after urination (dysuria)

Cloudy urine with a strong odor

Low-grade fever

Blood in the urine (hematuria)

Trouble urinating

Female UTI Symptoms

Pain or burning when urinating

Urge to urinate often

Pressure in the lower abdomen

Urine that smells bad or looks milky

Blood in the urine. This is common in younger women, however, consider consulting with your doctor immediately.

Fatigue, shaky, confused, weak. This is common in older women.

Fever – indication the infection has reached your kidneys

UTI At-Home Treatments

Drink plenty of water.

Drink cranberry juice or take cranberry supplements

Increase vitamin c intake

Take a probiotic

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What is an STD?

An STD is a sexually-transmitted disease that is transmitted through oral sex, vaginal sex, anal sex, intravenous drug use, or through non-sexual contacts such as childbirth or breastfeeding. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are 19 million reported STD cases each year in the United States. STDs are common and it is possible to be infected without being aware, because many STDs do not display obvious symptoms. Getting tested for STDs once or twice every year is recommended for sexually-active people. Regular STD testing is a great way to protect your sexual health as well as the health of your partner(s).

So, How Do You Get an STD?

STDs can occur in a myriad of ways:

Having unprotected sex with someone who has also been affected.

Eating contaminated food that has been contaminated with fecal matter can potentially transfer hepatitis A (HAV). Skin-to-skin contact with someone who has been affected by HPV or herpes can increase the risk of contracting either infection. Sharing sheets, towels, or clothes (especially if they’ve been damp within the hour) can increase the chance of spreading Trichomoniasis. Due to the risk factors of breaking the skin and mixing blood, people who share needles or even razors run a higher risk of catching, developing, and passing on STDs.

Similarities and Differences between UTIs and STDs

UTIs share symptoms similar to STDs and are misdiagnosed more often than you may think. According to the American Society for Microbiology, 64 percent of the patients with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were actually diagnosed as having a UTI instead. This is problematic. Not only are women being needlessly prescribed a UTI treatment (which can lead to antibiotic resistance, making it harder to actually treat a UTI if she gets one in the future), but it may also cause an undiagnosed STD to develop into a more serious issue. In the beginning stages, many STDs are treatable, but the further they are allowed to progress, the more complicated and expensive treatment becomes.

Here are a few symptoms that UTIs and STDs share:

Dysuria (painful urination or burning sensation when urinating)

Increased frequency of urination

Urgency of urination

Foul-smelling urine

Cloudy or dark urine

Pelvic pain

Unusual discharge

Though Many STDs are asymptomatic (do not show symptoms), there are a few distinguishers that could clue you in as to whether your case is in your reproductive organs or in your urinary tract.

STD Symptoms

Vaginal blisters or blisters in the genital area

Vaginal rash

Pain during intercourse

Bleeding or spotting between menstrual cycles

Fever

Nausea

Sore throat

Swelling of joints

So, what should you do if you are experiencing any symptoms whatsoever?

Increasing, Worsening, or Changing Symptoms

If any of your symptoms increase, worsen or change from the normal UTI symptoms, it might be an STD instead. If symptoms start to include ones like discharge or smell, it’s far more likely to be one of the most common STDs instead.

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For any repeated urinary tract infections that appear to keep coming back, see your doctor: There are many things that can cause repeated UTIs. The same is true for any symptoms that can point to more than just an STD: Again, see your doctor.

How to Check

The only way to know for sure if you have an STD rather than a UTI is to visit a medical clinic or anywhere you’re able to get tested or screened for STDs. It takes a simple test to figure out what you have – and usually a simple course of antibiotics to treat it. If you suspect that you have either, the best thing you can do is see a medical professional. Most STDs are curable with the correct treatment matched to the right condition.

Embarrassed? Don’t Be: It Can Be Dangerous

A lot of people don’t visit their doctor due to symptoms because they consider it potentially embarrassing. Don’t put it off! Both UTIs and STDs are easy to diagnose and just as easy to cure. Any waiting before you see your doctor has the potential to be more dangerous to you and your sexual partners, and not seeing a doctor at all could mean that your symptoms get worse.

Urgent Care Omaha Walk-In Clinics and in Bellevue, NE

Our staff works to provide prompt, personal, and professional care for all of our patients. We strive to provide the attention patients need in as quick a time as possible. Urgent Care Clinics in Omaha & Bellevue, Nebraska has three locations in the Omaha metropolitan area. Our three walk-in clinics are:

Disclaimer

The information contained on this webpage is for educational purposes as well as to provide general information and general understanding of the pertinent medical issue only, not to provide a specific diagnosis. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. By using this blog/web site you understand there is no doctor patient relationship between you and the blog/web site publisher. The information included on this site should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a licensed medical professional in your state. Neither Urgent Care Network, its subsidiaries, affiliates, assignees or successors in interest, nor any other party assume liability for loss or damage due to reliance on content of this blog/web site. If you are experiencing a severe medical issue, you should seek emergency assistance immediately.

urgentcareomaha.com - UTI or STD: How to Tell the Difference - Urgent Care Omaha

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