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Medical Video: Mayo Clinic Minute: Treating Urinary Tract Infections
Definition
What is a urinary tract infection (test at home)?
Urinary tract or urinary tract consists of kidney, bladder, ureter, and urethra. Urine in the bladder is normally sterile - it does not contain any bacteria or other organisms (such as fungi). However, bacteria can enter the urethra through the urethra.
Urinary tract infections are more common in women and girls than men. This is probably partly because the female urethra is shorter and closer to the anus, which allows bacteria from the intestine to more easily contact the urethra. Men also have antibacterial substances in the prostate gland that reduce risk.
Most urinary tract infections can be easily cured with antibiotics. However, untreated infections may spread to the ginja and cause more serious problems. If you use a home test device, make sure the doctor knows about any abnormal test results, so that serious problems are not overlooked.
When should I have a urinary tract infection (test at home)?
Your own urinary tract infection test is carried out under the direction of the doctor to:
- find urinary tract infections or Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), especially in people who have a continuous UTI. Certain conditions increase the risk of developing a UTI, for example if you are pregnant, have diabetes, or have a condition that affects urine flow (types of kidney stones, strokes, or spinal cord injuries). In adults, UTIs usually cause symptoms of pain or heat during urination, frequent urination, or sudden urination. However, older adults and young children with UTIs may not have these symptoms. For this reason, experts suggest that older adults and young children see a doctor to find a possible UTI
- check the work of UTI treatment. If you are being treated for a UTI, you can test urine at home to see if antibiotics have cured the infection. If you experience a UTI often, you might be able to test yourself for an infection
- test young children who often have bladder infections but may not be able to report their symptoms. Home tests for children are carried out under the direction of the doctor
Prevention & warning
What should I know before I get a urinary tract infection (test at home)?
Home tests for UTIs must be carried out under the direction of the doctor, so the test results are abnormal because problems other than the UTI will not be missed. Although a home test device can detect the presence of a UTI, it cannot provide information about the location of the infection. Positive test results do not always mean that you have an infection. If you have a positive test result, make sure you discuss it with your doctor. If you have symptoms of a urinary tract infection but negative self-test results, contact your doctor for an assessment.
Home testing devices are not 100% accurate. If you continue to have symptoms of a urinary tract infection even if the test results do not indicate you are infected (negative results), tell your doctor. Many types of home test devices can be ordered via the internet. If you have internet access, you can find this information by looking for the type of test or the name of the manufacturer.
Some home test kits may come along with capsules or other drugs for use after the test. Any medication that is included with a fixed device is not a substitute for examining a doctor.
Process
What should I do before I have a urinary tract infection (test at home)?
You can buy a measuring stick test without a doctor's order (without prescription) for home use to check urinary tract infections. Talk to your doctor about how to use the test kit.
How is the urinary tract infection (test at home)?
Do not urinate for at least 4 hours before the test. The first urine sample in the morning (which has accumulated in the bladder all night) gives the most accurate test results.
Test urine in 15 minutes after collecting a urine sample, or place a measuring stick in the urine when urinating. Do not let the container tip touch the genital area, and do not allow toilet paper, pubic hair, dirt, menstrual blood or other foreign substances in the urine sample
What should I do after I have a urinary tract infection (test at home)?
Test the urine sample according to the instructions included in the test kit package. Make sure the doctor knows about any abnormal test results so that your problem is not ignored.
Explanation of Test Results
What do the test results mean?
Normal:
Nitrite stick test: no nitrite in the urine. Normal results are called negative.
Leukocyte stick test: no white blood cells in the urine. Normal results are called negative.
Abnormal:
Nitrite stick test: nitrite in the urine. This result is called positive.
Leukocyte stick test: there are white blood cells in the urine. This result is called positive.
Contact your doctor if the test results are positive.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
