What is Involved in a Urinary Tract Infection Test?

In most cases, a urinary tract infection test involves collecting a sample of a person's urine. A doctor will then analyze the urine in a laboratory. An at-home urinary tract infection test is also available. The at-home version of the test is very similar to a home pregnancy test. People who are prone to urinary tract infections may benefit from at-home tests to make sure the infection is clearing up. Those who suffer from frequent infections may also need to undergo imaging to ensure there isn't a larger problem in their urinary tract.

If a person is undergoing a urinary tract infection test at the doctor's office, she will be asked to collect a so-called clean catch of urine in a cup. A clean catch is necessary to make sure that no other bacteria contaminates the urine or results in a false positive. To get a clean catch, the genital area is wiped with a cloth. The person should urinate a little bit before catching any urine in a cup so that any bacteria in the area is washed away and not caught in the cup.

After the urine is collected, it is examined to see if there are bacteria or red and white blood cells. If bacteria is present, the doctor will grow a culture of it. Various antibiotics will be used on the cultured bacteria to determine which will be the most effective treatment. In some cases, urinary tract infection symptoms can be caused by another infection, such as chlamydia. Chlamydia bacteria won't grow on the typical urinary tract infection culture.

During an at-home urinary tract infection test, a person uses a dipstick to test her urine. She either urinates directly onto the stick or dips it into the collected urine. The clean catch method should be used with an at-home test. An at-home urinary tract infection test typically looks for nitrite, which is produced by the body when an infection is present. Some tests look for white blood cells instead of nitrites. If a person has a positive result from an at-home test, she should follow up with her doctor for confirmation and treatment.

In some cases, a doctor may perform ultrasound imaging on a person's urinary tract. The imaging looks for obstructions or foreign objects in the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, urethra, and bladder. Another test used for frequent infections is an intravenous urinary pyelogram, during which an injected dye highlights the urinary tract. X-rays are taken to show any abnormalities.