How to test for urinary tract infection and when to see a doctor

Key takeaways:

• Testing for a urinary tract infection (UTI) may require performing urine tests, lab tests, blood tests, imaging, and sometimes cystoscopy. The type of test to be carried out depends on its severity.
• While most UTIs are easy to treat, some are complicated and harder to treat. It’s best to see a doctor if UTI symptoms persist or worsen or if you experience severe symptoms like intense abdominal or back pain, fever, or blood in your urine.
• The type of doctor to see for UTI depends on the part of the urinary system affected and the severity of the condition. Doctors who treat urinary tract infections include a general practitioner, a gynecologist, a urologist, or a nephrologist.

An estimated 150 million people experience urinary tract infections (UTIs) every year. These infections can affect any part of the urinary system, including the urethra, bladder, kidney, and ureter. They are caused by microorganisms—usually bacteria—in the urinary tract.

The symptoms of a UTI may include urinary incontinence, abdominal and pelvic discomfort, frequent urination, foul-smelling urine, and much more. The symptoms you’ll observe will depend on which kind of urinary tract infection is present, and medical tests by a healthcare professional are crucial to make a diagnosis of the infection present.

This article discusses the tests for UTI and how they might be performed at home without the assistance of a healthcare professional. 

How doctors test for urinary tract infections

Some tests for UTI that your doctor may carry out include:

1. Lab urine test for UTI

A urine test is medically known as urinalysis. It is a procedure by which your healthcare provider directs you to pee in a cup and takes it to the laboratory. This test aims to check for substances in the urine that may indicate signs of urinary tract infection.

The process of urinalysis usually involves a healthcare professional instructing you to provide a specific quantity of urine, which will be analyzed in the medical laboratory using separation techniques and biochemical activities to detect infection.

Your doctor may recommend some best practices for this procedure, like ensuring your urine is free from external debris, collecting midstream urine, and being hydrated enough.

The urine sample is visually analyzed for abnormalities using its color and smell. The presence of red blood cells, white blood cells, proteins, crystals, and epithelial cells may also be examined to determine the specific microorganisms present in your body. The test takes about 24 to 48 hours to complete.

2. Blood test for UTI

Blood tests are broad and can be used for several medical purposes, ranging from routine body checks to the presence of abnormalities that may indicate health conditions. Some blood tests used to detect infection include:

• Complete blood count (CBC): This blood test measures the levels of different blood cells, including white blood cells (WBCs). An increase in your WBC count may suggest an infection.
• Blood culture: This test involves collecting blood samples that are checked for bacteria or fungi. Blood samples are placed in a special liquid called culture, where the laboratory technician checks for the growth of fungi or bacteria.  A blood culture is done if your doctor suspects that the bacteria has spread to the blood. It provides great insights into what antibiotics should be prescribed for treatment.

3. Imaging test for UTI

An imaging test produces images of the urinary tract to check for structural abnormalities. This test provides a clear picture of the urinary system. 

Your doctor may recommend imaging to pinpoint a problem in your urinary tract or if you have certain symptoms like recurrent UTIs, blood in your urine or hematuria, abdominal pain or mass, or signs of kidney failure.

Imaging tests may include procedures like ultrasound, x-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

4. Cystoscopy for UTI

Your doctor may carry out a cystoscopy on your lower urinary tract—the bladder and urethra—if you are having urinary problems. This medical test involves the use of a cystoscope, which is a slim tube with a camera and light attached at its end. This test aims to get magnified images of your bladder and urethra.

Cystoscopy is mostly performed when there are recurrent or persistent UTIs. The presence of blood in the urine or other suspected issues that need closer examination is also an indication for this procedure.

Can you test for UTI at home?

Yes, you can test for UTI at home with a test kit. An at-home UTI test kit usually includes a dipstick similar to that of a pregnancy test.

These kits work by checking for the presence of bacteria or white blood cells in your urine, which can indicate an infection. Some kits may also analyze the pH—acidity or alkalinity—of your urine to indicate signs of infection.

Overall, each kit you purchase tells you the indicators for UTI that you should be looking out for after the test. However, it is important to note that at-home UTI test kits have limitations and may not provide the same level of accuracy as medical laboratory tests for UTI.

How to do at-home tests for UTI using OTC dipstick

Here is how to test for a urinary tract infection at home using the over-the-counter dipstick:

1. Read and understand the instructions provided on the UTI test kit. 
2. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. 
3. Wash your genital area with plain water; avoid using soap.
4. Use a clean container to collect midstream urine (urine that is in-between). 
5. Open the dipstick package and remove a test strip. 
6. Be careful not to touch the testing area (usually located on one end of the strip) with your fingers.
7. Dip the testing area of the dipstick into the urine you collected. 
8. Ensure that the testing side is inside the urine for the specified time, as mentioned in the instructions. 
9. Avoid exceeding the recommended dipping time (usually 2–5 minutes).
10. Remove the strip and gently shake off excess urine to prevent inaccurate results.
11. Place the dipstick on a clean, non-absorbent surface or on a provided test result area. 
12. Follow the instructions regarding the waiting time for the results to develop; this takes a few minutes.

How to read urinary tract infection test strips

UTI test kits vary and can have different indicators for their results. Some indicators include color changes in testing areas and markers for white blood cells. These markers, if present, may suggest you have a UTI.

Use the chart on the test strip package to interpret the results. This will guide you in interpreting the results and the next actions you should take. This action may include seeing a healthcare professional.

When to see a doctor for a urinary tract infection

You should see a doctor for urinary tract infection concerns if you notice any of the following:

• Your temperature is very high, or you feel hot and shivery. 
• You have a low temperature below 36°C.
• You are confused or drowsy. 
• You have pain in your lower tummy or the back, just under the ribs.
• You can see blood in your pee.
• Your symptoms are severe or getting worse.
• Your symptoms haven’t started to improve after a few days.
• You get UTIs frequently. 
• Your symptoms come back even after treatment.

If you have or suspect you have a UTI, visit your doctor for recommendations. They may refer you to health professionals for UTI tests and then prescribe the appropriate medication. 

People with recurrent UTIs due to abnormalities in their bladder, kidneys, or urethra are primarily treated by a urologist. On the other hand, a nephrologist mostly treats UTIs and related complications that occur in the upper part of the urinary tract, which include the kidneys and ureters.

If you are unsure of what specialist you need, you can start by visiting a general practitioner who will run some tests and give a diagnosis. Based on the diagnosis, your doctor will recommend the specialist you need. 

Wrap up

UTI is a very common medical condition that affects millions of people globally. It can affect the upper or lower urinary tract and cause symptoms like urinary incontinence, painful urination, and abdominal pain, among others.

Tests for UTI are crucial to diagnosing infection. While multiple medical procedures can be carried out in the hospital for this purpose, you can also conduct a test for UTI at home with a simple OTC test kit. Visit your doctor or an appropriate specialist if you are experiencing more painful and unusual symptoms.