How Are Urinary Tract Infections Diagnosed?

When you develop a urinary tract infection (UTI) — which can seem to happen out of nowhere — fast relief is probably the first thing on your mind. With pain, stinging, the constant need to void, and more, the symptoms of a UTI can be exceptionally uncomfortable and disruptive, often making it difficult for people to go to work or even sleep. Because UTIs can be caused by a variety of different bacteria, each of which may be responsive or resistant to a certain antibiotic, obtaining an accurate diagnosis and identifying the offending pathogen are critical for initiating the most appropriate antibiotic treatment and getting rapid relief from your UTI symptoms.

At Kasraeian Urology in Jacksonville, FL, board-certified urologists Drs. Ahmad and Ali Kasraeian are committed to utilizing the most modern and innovative diagnostic tools available to ensure patients achieve the most rapid UTI diagnosis and can begin the correct antibiotic sooner to get the relief they deserve and resume their normal activities comfortably. Here, we'll take a closer look at the benefits of the PCR urine test for UTIs, including same-day results and a more accurate UTI diagnosis than is possible with other urine tests.

How do I know if I have a UTI?

Diagnosing a UTI requires a medical evaluation and a formal urine test. However, there are some common signs and symptoms of UTIs that may mean you are likely to have infected urine, such as:

• Burning on urination
• Stinging with urination
• Constant urge to urinate
• Frequent urination
• Abdominal pain
• Foul-smelling urine
• Cloudy or dark urine
• Blood in the urine (visible or microscopic)

If you suspect a UTI, don't hesitate to call to schedule an evaluation so that you can begin antibiotic treatment as appropriate and find relief from your symptoms sooner.

What test is used for a UTI?

Traditionally, UTIs are diagnosed using a urine culture or urinalysis. However, these tests have their limitations and downsides. With a urinalysis, which is a microscopic evaluation of the urine, it is only possible to detect red blood cells, white blood cells, nitrates, and other debris in the urine. While the presence or elevation of some of these components may point to the likelihood of a UTI, they will not provide information on the pathogen responsible for the UTI or which antibiotics may be effective against it. With a urine culture, it is often possible to identify the specific bacteria causing the UTI, but the test can take several days to return results, leaving patients with uncomfortable symptoms in the meantime or, in some cases, starting an antibiotic that their bacteria will not respond to.

What is the PCR test for UTIs?

At Kasraeian Urology, we are proud to offer the PCR urine test to diagnose UTIs faster, more accurately, and more effectively. With a PCR test, patients simply give a standard urine sample, just as they would with a normal urine culture. However, the PCR test employs a highly advanced process that can identify the UTI-causing bacteria and pinpoint the specific antibiotics to which the bacteria will be sensitive and/or resistant — all with same-day results. This allows patients to start the appropriate antibiotic therapy at the earliest possible time, providing relief sooner and avoiding the unnecessary initiation of what may be ineffective antibiotic therapy. With same-day UTI testing, the PCR urine test gives patients the best possible opportunity for rapid UTI symptom relief.

Choose a PCR test in Jacksonville, FL for the fastest UTI relief possible

When a UTI hits, our caring team is here to help you get the most accurate information about your infection and the fastest possible relief. For more information about the benefits of choosing the PCR urine test for diagnosing a UTI, call Kasraeian Urology to schedule your consultation or evaluation with Jacksonville, FL board-certified urologists Dr. Ahmad Kasraeian or Dr. Ali Kasraeian today.