Answer:
Dear
Jessica,
Bladder
infections (also called urinary tract infections or cystitis) untreated
can travel up the urinary system, ultimately infecting the kidneys.
As a
rule, the further up a urinary tract the infection has traveled, the
more severe the case is.
The severity
of the case plays a major role in how long it takes to treat it.
Bladder
infections are relatively harmless and can be cured in a matter of
days or weeks.
Kidney
infections start the same way as bladder infections but are much more
severe.
They
usually require staying at least a few days in the hospital and have
antibiotics pumped into the veins through an intravenous drip.
Some
patients can take months to rehabilitate from a bad kidney infection.
In most
cases, a person with a bladder infection will start to feel better
after taking antibiotics for a short time.
However,
if after taking all of the antibiotics prescribed a person with a
bladder infection does not feel relief, she or he may not have a bladder
infection at all.
She or
he will need further tests and adjust the diagnosis.
