How the test is performed
For the most accurate results, the urine sample must be collected correctly. This usually involves a midstream urine test, where only the middle part of the urine stream is collected in a sterile container. This helps reduce the risk of contamination from the skin or genitals.
Purpose of cultivation
By culturing the urine, you can find out if there is an infection in the urinary tract. If bacteria are found in high concentrations, it can indicate an infection. The culture can also help identify the specific bacteria causing the infection, which is helpful in determining the most effective treatment.
When to book an appointment
If you experience symptoms such as pain when urinating, frequent urination, fever or lower abdominal pain, you should consider booking an appointment for a urine test. These symptoms may indicate a urinary tract infection, which may require treatment.
The importance of results
After culturing, your doctor will receive a report showing if there are bacteria in the urine and if so, what types. The report will also contain information about which antibiotics the bacteria are sensitive or resistant to, which guides treatment choices.
Precautions and preparation
Before giving a urine sample, it is important to clean the area around the urethra. This minimizes the chance of contamination. You may also want to avoid taking the urine sample during menstruation, as this can affect the results.
Get to the doctor
Urine culture is an important test that provides valuable information about the condition of your urinary tract. If you have symptoms of a urinary tract infection or other concerns about your urine, it's important to talk to a doctor and consider having this test done.
