Why do you 'culture' a urine sample? (Urine Culture) Let's talk about this in detail!

Have you ever been bothered by a urinary tract infection (UTI) ? Your doctor may have asked you to do a urine culture. You may have heard the name a little strange. So, what is a urine culture? Why is it so important? Let's explain it all in a simple way that you can understand.

What is this 'Urine Culture' test?

Simply put, a urine culture is a test that checks your urine for bacteria or fungi (like yeast, to be exact). The word "culture" here means that microorganisms , that is, tiny germs that can be found in a body fluid (in this case urine), are grown in a lab. Your doctor will take a urine sample from you and send it to a lab to do a "culture".

This 'Urine Culture' test can also identify exactly what bacteria or fungus is causing the infection. More importantly, it can also identify the right antibiotics to kill the bacteria. Then the doctor can choose the most effective medicine for you. You don't want to make your illness worse by taking the wrong medicine, right?

When is a urine culture needed?

Doctors usually order this test to confirm whether you have a urinary tract infection (UTI) . A doctor may order this test if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Do you have pain when you urinate ? Or does it feel like a burning sensation?
• Do you suddenly have to urinate quickly? That means it's hard to hold back.
• Are you urinating frequently? More than usual.
• Do you sometimes lose control over your urine ?
• Do you have a fever for no apparent reason ? Sometimes urinary tract infections can present as a fever.

If you have something like this, it's definitely best to see a doctor and get advice.

What is the difference between a 'Urine Culture' and a 'Urinalysis'?

Both of these are urine tests. Both require a urine sample from you. But there is a slight difference. Most of the time, the doctor will first do a 'urinalysis' . This is a quick test. This checks your urine for red blood cells, white blood cells , andWhether there are things like bacteria. These can give a clue about an infection. To be precise, a 'urinalysis' is like a 'screening test' . That is, it helps the doctor decide whether or not to do a 'urine culture'.

Urine culture involves growing the microorganisms identified in the urinalysis to identify exactly which bacteria or fungus is causing the infection. Do you understand the difference?

How does this 'Urine Culture' work?

It's very simple. You collect some urine in a cup as instructed by your doctor. Sometimes, if it's difficult for you to do this (for example, with a small baby or a bedridden patient), your doctor will use other methods (we'll talk about that later). Your urine sample is then sent to the lab.

At the lab, a lab technician takes a small stick (with a small loop at the end) and dips it into your urine sample. Then, they put it on a special plate with nutrients. These nutrients cause any microorganisms in the urine to grow quickly. If you have a UTI , within a day or two, a lot of bacteria or fungi (called colonies ) will grow on the plate. The lab then examines and counts those colonies to produce your report.

Think of it like growing a small garden. You feed the germs and see if they grow.

If your sample contains bacteria or fungi , the lab will do another test. This is called an antibiotic sensitivity test ( or antifungal sensitivity test for fungi). This test will determine which antibiotics will kill or stop the growth of the bacteria. This information will help your doctor choose the right medication for you.

How should we prepare before a urine culture?

If there are any special things you need to do before you give a urine sample, your doctor will tell you about them. Usually, things like this may be said:

• Do not urinate for at least an hour before giving the urine sample.
• Drink a glass of water (at least 8 ounces) about 20 minutes before giving the sample. This will help collect enough urine for the sample.
• If possible, collect the sample from the first voided urine in the morning . That is best.

Some people find it a little awkward to urinate outside of the home, especially in a lab, right? It's called 'shy bladder syndrome' . If you have this problem, tell your doctor. He or she will show you a way to give the sample in an easy way. There's nothing to be embarrassed about, this is something that happens to many people.

What happens when you do a 'Urine Culture'? (Clean Catch Method)

A urine culture requires a 'clean catch urine sample' . That is, a urine sample that is as clean as possible, free of foreign matter. This is because if bacteria, which are normally found on our skin, are added to the sample, the report may be incorrect. You will need to give this sample either at your doctor's office or at a lab. In some cases, you may be asked to collect it at home and bring it with you.

Here's how to collect a urine sample using the 'clean catch' method:

1. First , wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water . This is very important.

2. Then, use the antiseptic wipe provided to thoroughly clean your vagina and surrounding area (if you are a woman) or glans penis (if you are a man). If your penis is uncircumcised , you should first clean it by pulling back the foreskin.

3. Next, first empty some urine into the toilet . Then stop urinating halfway through . This is called 'midstream'.

4. Now, take the sterile cup that was given to you and when you start urinating again, hold it under your vagina or under your penis. Do not let the cup touch your skin .

5. Collect urine until the cup is about half full , or as much as your doctor tells you. It's okay if you can't fill it exactly half full.

6. If you need to urinate more, stop halfway again if possible, remove the cup, and empty the rest into the toilet.

7. If the doctor gives you a lid for the cup, close it tightly. The doctor will tell you where to place the sample.

8. Finally, don't forget to wash your hands thoroughly again .

If you follow these steps exactly, you can get a clean sample. Although it may seem a bit of a hassle, this is very important for getting accurate results.

Are there other ways to take a urine sample?

Yes, there is. Not everyone can give a sample using the 'clean catch' method. For example, it is difficult to do so for a very young baby or someone who is very sick. In such cases, doctors use these methods:

• 'Catheterization':In this procedure, a doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube (a catheter ) through your urethra into your bladder . Urine then flows down the tube and collects in a sterile bag.
• Urine bag (U bag): This method is used for infants and young children. A special bag with a small adhesive strip is attached to the baby's penis or covering the vaginal opening. After the baby urinates , the urine is collected in a cup provided. If you are doing this at home, you will need to refrigerate the sample until you take it to the lab or doctor's office.
• ' Aspiration ': This is a somewhat rare procedure. In this procedure, a doctor inserts a thin needle through the skin of the abdomen, numbing it , into the bladder , and draws out a small amount of urine with a syringe.

Are there any risks with urine culture?

It is very safe to give a urine sample using either the 'clean catch' or 'urine bag' method. There seems to be no risk. However, there may be a very small risk of infection with either the 'catheter' method or the needle method.

The biggest risk is that the sample could be contaminated by bacteria or fungus on your skin . If this happens, your report could be wrong (called a 'false positive' ). This means that you could appear to have an infection even though you don't have one.

How long does it take for the urine culture report to arrive?

It usually takes 24 to 48 hours for the bacteria to grow in the culture. So it can take about three days for the lab to complete the test and send the report. Your doctor will call you and tell you about the report, or you can look it up in your electronic health records (EHR) .

What does it mean if the urine culture report is 'positive'?

If your urine culture report is positive and you have symptoms of an infection, it means you have a UTI . If so, your doctor will start you on treatment for it (and may have already started it).

However, sometimes bacteria can be present in the urine without any symptoms. This is called 'asymptomatic bacteriuria' . If you have no symptoms, this usually does not require treatment.

If the lab also did the 'Antibiotic Sensitivity' test, you will see words like this in the report:

• 'Susceptible':This means that the drug has been successful in suppressing or killing the bacteria or fungus that has grown in your culture. This drug should be the first choice for treating the infection.
• 'Intermediate': This means that the drug has had some effect in stopping the bacteria or fungus . Perhaps if given in a higher dose , it could be effective in treating the infection.
• 'Resistant': This means that the medicine has not worked to stop or kill the bacteria or fungus . So this medicine is not good for use in treating the infection .

This information is very important, because it is from this that the doctor will choose the most suitable medicine for you, one that will provide you with the fastest healing.

What does it mean if the urine culture report is 'negative'?

A 'Negative' or normal urine culture report means that there are no signs of bacteria or fungus in your urine sample. This means that you do not have a 'UTI' . But keep in mind that normal ranges can vary slightly from lab to lab.

However, if you have symptoms of a UTI (pain when urinating , urgency, frequent urination , blood in the urine - hematuria ) but the culture is negative, there may be other causes. For example, changes due to menopause , kidney stones , or bladder masses . In such cases, your doctor may order further tests to find the cause. They may also order imaging scans , other specialized tests, or refer you to a urologist (a doctor who specializes in the urinary system).

When should we see the doctor again?

If your symptoms don't improve after treatment, or if you have any questions about the test results, be sure to talk to your doctor. It's bad to hide an illness.

Can these things be identified through urine culture?

'E. coli' (E. coli) bacteria?

Yes, a urine culture test can detect Escherichia coli (E. coli) . E. coli is a type of bacteria that lives in our digestive system and is found in our feces. E. coli is the main cause of UTIs ..

Streptococcus (Strep) infections?

Yes, a urine culture can also detect Streptococcus (Strep) bacteria. If you have a Group B strep infection during pregnancy (even if you don't have any symptoms), you can pass it to your baby during vaginal delivery. Therefore, your obstetrician-gynecologist will test you for Group B strep as you get closer to your due date.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?

Yes, a urine test can detect sexually transmitted infections ( STIs) like Chlamydia and Gonorrhea . But your doctor will have to ask for it separately, as it won't show up on a regular urine culture report. STIs can also be detected with a swab taken from your urethra, vagina, or penis.

Finally, things we need to remember (Take-Home Message)

Urinary tract infections are not only uncomfortable, they can sometimes be serious. Especially if they spread to the kidneys, the bloodstream, or if the bacteria is passed from mother to baby during childbirth. A urine culture can help your doctor determine the cause of your symptoms and the best treatment.

It may seem a little strange, and perhaps even embarrassing, to give a urine sample using the 'clean catch' method. But remember, giving a little urine in a cup can help you get better faster. So, if a doctor tells you to do this kind of test, do it right. It's for your own health.

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