UTI Tests

If a urinary tract infection is suspected, their urine sample should be examined for any pus, red blood cells or bacteria present in the urine.

Dipstick tests, available over the counter, are quite reliable in making a reasonable diagnosis of UTIs with symptoms. Dipstick tests may also be useful for identifying UTIs in children and infants. The test uses a chemical on a stick that when dipped in urine reacts to nitrites, substances released by many of the bacteria that causes UTIs. A positive test result often eliminates the need for urine cultures, an expensive test used to detect bacteria. A negative dipstick test helps to avoid unnecessary antibiotics. These tests are not entirely accurate, however, and studies report that they may miss up to 25% of actual UTIs. If having persistent UTI symptoms, but the dipstick test is negative, should check with the doctor to see if more accurate tests are needed.

A clean urine specimen is required to diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI). The urine sample is collected after cleaning the area around the urethral opening to prevent bacteria in the genital area from contaminating the sample.

Urinalysis is carried out to determine the level of white blood cells (WBC) that destroy harmful bacteria (leukocytes) in the urine. A large number of WBC may indicate bacterial infection.

Urine culture may be some time used to reveal whether have an infection, assess the type of bacteria and to determine the treatment. Although no simple test can differentiate between an upper and lower urinary tract infection, the presence of fever and flank pain indicate that the infection likely involves the kidneys.

Even if bacteria are present in the culture, a diagnosis of UTI depends on symptoms and gender: