UTIs and yeast infections often are mentioned in the same sentence, and understandably so. They’re both uncomfortable infections, but are they the same thing?

No, they aren’t, and our AFC Urgent Care Farragut team provides some helpful information on both of these topics below.

What Is a Yeast Infection?

A vaginal yeast infection is a fungal infection that causes irritation, discharge and intense itchiness of the vagina and the vulva.

The vagina naturally contains a balanced mix of yeast, including candida and bacteria. Certain bacteria act to prevent an overgrowth of yeast, but that balance can be disrupted, which can cause the normal yeast that live in the vagina to grow too much and lead to an infection. We’ve listed the common symptoms of a yeast infection below.

Yeast Infection Symptoms

• Itching and irritation in the vagina and vulva
• A burning sensation—especially during intercourse or while urinating
• Redness and swelling of the vulva
• Vaginal pain and soreness
• Vaginal rash
• Thick, white, odor-free vaginal discharge with a cottage cheese appearance
• Watery vaginal discharge

What Is a UTI?

While a yeast infection is fungal, a UTI is a bacterial infection in the urinary tract. Furthermore, UTI symptoms typically affect urination.

They may cause a burning sensation when you urinate, or you may feel a need to urinate more frequently. Yeast infection symptoms may include pain when urinating, but you’ll also experience pain and itchiness in the affected area. Vaginal yeast infections also typically cause a thick, milky discharge, while UTIs don’t. We’ve listed some more common UTI symptoms below.

UTI Symptoms

• Pain and burning when urinating
• Feeling the need to urinate more often than usual, even when you don’t actually have to relieve yourself
• Awakening from sleep to go to the bathroom
• Discolored or cloudy urine that may be red or pink from blood
• Foul-smelling urine
• Fever or chills, vomiting, or nausea, which may all be signs of a more serious infection
• Pain or feeling of pressure in your lower abdomen, back and sides
• Pain in your pelvis, especially if you’re a woman

Whether you’re suffering from a UTI, yeast infection or some other non-emergency illness, our AFC Urgent Care Farragut team can provide the care you need! Don’t hesitate to stop by today.