Urine Infection (cont.)
How is a UTI diagnosed?
To find out whether you have a UTI, your doctor will test a sample of urine
for pus and bacteria. You will be asked to give a "clean catch" urine sample by
washing the genital area and collecting a "midstream" sample of urine in a
sterile container. This method of collecting urine helps prevent bacteria around
the genital area from getting into the sample and confusing the test results.
Usually, the sample is sent to a laboratory, although some doctors' offices are
equipped to do the testing.
In the urinalysis test, the urine is examined for white and red blood cells
and bacteria. Then the bacteria are grown in a culture and tested against
different antibiotics to see which drug best destroys the bacteria. This last
step is called a sensitivity test.
Some microbes, like Chlamydia and Mycoplasma, can be detected only with
special bacterial cultures. A doctor suspects one of these infections when a
person has symptoms of a UTI and pus in the urine, but a standard culture fails
to grow any bacteria.
When an infection does not clear up with treatment and is traced to the same
strain of bacteria, the doctor may order some tests to determine if your system
is normal. One of these tests is an intravenous pyelogram, which gives x-ray
images of the bladder, kidneys, and ureters. An opaque dye visible on x-ray film
is injected into a vein, and a series of x-rays is taken. The film shows an
outline of the urinary tract, revealing even small changes in the structure of
the tract.
If you have recurrent infections, your doctor also may recommend an
ultrasound exam, which gives pictures from the echo patterns of soundwaves
bounced back from internal organs. Another useful test is cystoscopy. A
cystoscope is an instrument made of a hollow tube with several lenses and a
light source, which allows the doctor to see inside the bladder from the
urethra.
Next: What is the treatment for a UTI? »
- amoxicillin, Amoxil, Dispermox, Trimox - Learn more about amoxicillin, including a description, generic and brand names, drug class and mechanism, preparations, storage, reasons for prescription, dosing, effect on pregnancy and nursing mothers, and common side effects.
- CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography) - CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography, CAT scan) is a procedure that assists in diagnosing tumors, fractures, bony structures, and infections in the organs and tissues of the body.
- Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis) - Learn about diverticulitis (diverticular disease, diverticulosis) symtpoms like abdominal cramping, constipation, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Causes, diagnosis, and treatment information is also included.
Latest Medical News
Womens Health RSS