Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosis

In the case of a urinary tract infection, diagnosis will involve a review of the patient's medical history, a physical exam, and a urine test. The urine is examined for red and white blood cells as well as bacteria. Bacteria from the urine sample will be allowed to grow in a culture so it may be tested to determine which antibiotic best destroys it. Other tests that may be used to make a urinary tract infection diagnosis include ultrasounds, intravenous pyelograms, and cystoscopies.

 

Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosis: An Introduction

In order to make a urinary tract infection diagnosis, your doctor will ask you a number of questions, review your medical history, perform a physical exam, test a sample of urine, and order other tests or procedures.
 

Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosis: Urine Sample

To diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI), your doctor will test a sample of urine for pus and bacteria. Patients 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 will help prevent bacteria around the genital area from getting into the sample and affecting the test results.
 
The urine will also be examined for white and red blood cells and bacteria. The bacteria will be allowed to grow in a culture so that it can be tested against different antibiotics to see which drug best destroys the bacteria. This last step is called a sensitivity test.
 

Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosis: Additional Tests and Procedures

When an infection does not clear up with urinary tract infection treatment, doctors may order tests to determine if your system is normal. These tests may include:
 
  • An intravenous pyelogram
  • An ultrasound
  • A cystoscopy.
(Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosis Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD