They are more or less the same thing with the difference that a UTI or a Urinary Tract Infection being a broader term. A bladder infection is a bacterial infection of the bladder. A urinary tract infection can refer to a bladder infection and/or an infection of the kidneys. A bladder infection is much more common but it can easily spread to the kidneys. In either case UTI should be dealt with promptly before it damages the Kidneys permanently. Urine normally consists of salts, waste products and fluids but does not normally contain bacteria. Symptoms of bladder infection include frequent and strong urges to urinate, mild fever, foul smelling, cloudy urine, and a need to urinate during the night. Kidney infections include these symptoms along with pain in the back, side and groin; shaking chills; abdominal pains etc.
