What parameters are measured in the urinary tract infection test?
This is a simple test that can be done at home and provides immediate results for detecting a current urinary tract infection. To detect a possible UTI, the test looks for leukocytes, nitrates, and blood in the urine sample. The test result is given by visual comparison with a color scale in the packaging, so this test does not need to be sent to a laboratory for analysis.
Exploring the connection between the gut and the urinary tract
If you suffer from recurrent urinary tract infections, understanding your gut health can be a crucial step in controlling and potentially reducing future infections. The gut microbiome plays an important role in overall health and immunity, and an imbalance can indirectly contribute to urinary tract infections. Our Small Gut Microbiome Test provides insights into your gut flora, helping you gain a more comprehensive understanding of your body's interconnected systems.
About the urinary system
Urinary tract infections are a serious health problem affecting millions of people each year. Normal urine is free of bacteria, viruses, and fungi and contains fluid, salts, and waste products. A UTI occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract, attach to the opening of the urethra and multiply there. In most cases, the bacteria first multiply in the urethra. An infection confined to the urethra is called urethritis. From there, the bacteria often travel into the bladder, causing a urinary tract infection known as cystitis. The bacteria can travel up the ureters and infect the kidneys if the infection is not treated promptly. This infection is called pyelonephritis.
Common symptoms of a lower urinary tract infection
- Back pain
- Blood in the urine
- Cloudy urine
- Inability to urinate despite urge
- Fever
- Frequent urination
- General malaise
- Painful urination
Common symptoms of an upper urinary tract infection
- Chills
- High fever
- Pain under the ribs
- Nausea
Storage
Store test strips at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius (59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit). Do not refrigerate or freeze the test strips. Do not expose the test strips to moisture, heat, or light before use. Use the test strip immediately after opening the foil pouch.
How does the urinary tract infection test work?
- First, collect urine in a glass or cup. It is best to do the test in the morning after showering, as morning urine is the best urine sample.
- Take a test strip out of the package and hold it by the completely white end without colored squares.
- Dip the colored part of the test strip into the urine in the glass for a maximum of one second.
- Remove the test strip and gently tap it against the rim of the glass to remove excess urine.
- Hold the test strip horizontally for 30-60 seconds to allow the reaction to occur.
- Read your result by comparing the colors of the reaction on the test strip with the color chart in the package.
Test limitations
Effect of abnormal urine color on the test: Certain medications can change the color of the urine and affect the color development on the test strip. The result can be a masking of the color development on the reagent pad or a false positive reaction. If in doubt, repeat the test after discontinuing the medication.
- Leukocytes: The test result does not always correspond to the number of leukocytes visible under the microscope. Positive results can be caused by factors such as high humidity, high temperature, and vial integrity. Samples from women may sometimes yield positive results if contaminated by vaginal secretions.
- Nitrite: The development of a uniform pink coloration should be considered positive. However, pink spots or edges should be ignored. The intensity of the color does not necessarily indicate the number of bacteria present. The test specifically detects nitrite-producing bacteria. However, there are also bacteria that do not produce nitrite. Therefore, a negative result does not mean that there is no urinary tract infection.
- Blood: If bacteria are present in the urine, a false positive result may sometimes occur. Ascorbic acid or proteins can reduce the reactivity of the blood test. A false positive result can be caused by strong oxidizing agents such as hypochlorite. The urine of menstruating women often, but not always, yields positive results.
