Have you ever noticed that your urine is a little cloudy or different than usual? It might just be milky, or it might be yellow or pink. Do you also feel pain when you urinate, or have a frequent need to urinate? If you have these symptoms, it could be a sign of a condition called
pyuria . Don't worry, this is often treatable and curable. Let's talk about this in a simple way that you can understand.
What is Pyuria? Let's understand it simply!
Simply put, pyuria is the presence of
white blood cells (leukocytes) or
pus in your urine. Now you may be wondering what pus is. Pus is a thick, discolored fluid (white, yellow, pink, green) that our bodies produce when we are fighting an infection. It contains things like white blood cells, dead tissue, and bacteria. To be precise, if your urine contains 10 or more white blood cells per cubic millimeter, it is considered pyuria. There is another condition called
sterile pyuria . This is when your urine contains white blood cells, but a doctor cannot find any bacteria. This means that white blood cells can be present in the urine even if there is no infection.
Who is more likely to develop pyuria?
Pyuria can actually happen to anyone. However, some people are more likely to develop this condition. They are:
- Women: Women are more likely to develop this than men.
- People over 45 years of age: This risk may increase with age.
- Women who are nearing or have gone through menopause : Hormonal changes during this time can also affect them.
How common is this condition?
Pyuria is
a very common condition . Although it can be caused by a variety of health problems, it is most often seen with
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) . Did you know that UTIs are very common. Every year, between 8 million and 1 billion people seek medical treatment for UTIs. When it comes to sterile pyuria, it affects about 14% of women and 2.6% of men. Most often, sterile pyuria is caused by
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or infections (STIs) .
What does urine smell like when you have pyuria?
If you have pyuria as a symptom of a UTI, your urine contains
ammonia.A strong, unpleasant odor may be present. Ammonia is a chemical found in many cleaning liquids that has a strong odor. That is what may be present.
What are the symptoms of this?
The main and most common symptom of pyuria is
cloudy pee or
pus in the urine . However, if this pyuria is caused by a UTI, you may also experience symptoms like:
- Pain in your flank, stomach, or lower abdomen.
- A feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen.
- The need to urinate frequently (frequency).
- Feeling a sudden, strong need to urinate (urgency).
- Incontinence is the inability to control the flow of urine .
- Pain or burning when urinating (dysuria) .
- Blood in the urine (hematuria) .
- Fever.
- Nausea and vomiting .
Imagine, there is a sister named Nalini. She has been feeling a little pain while urinating for the past two or three days. She has also noticed that her urine is a bit dark in color. She didn't pay much attention to it, but one night, she went to see a doctor when she started having pain in her lower abdomen along with a fever. After tests, she found out that she had a UTI and pyuria.
What causes pyuria?
As we mentioned earlier, the main cause of pyuria is
urinary tract infections (UTIs) . Apart from that, there can be several other causes:
- Sexually transmitted infections ( STIs ) and diseases (STDs): Examples include gonorrhea, human papillomavirus ( HPV ), syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV ).
- Other viral infections: For example, adenovirus.
- Interstitial cystitis: This is a painful bladder syndrome.
- Pneumonia.
- Tuberculosis.
- Sepsis: This is a severe infection that spreads throughout the body.
- Kidney stones.
- If things like transvaginal surgical mesh have been used in vaginal surgeries.
- Organ transplant rejection.
Some medications can cause pyuria even when used for a long time. Such medications include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Examples include pain relievers such as aspirin (e.g. Excedrin®), ibuprofen (e.g. Advil®), and naproxen sodium (e.g. Aleve®).
- Antibiotics containing penicillin or sulfa.
- Diuretics: These are medications that help remove water from the body.
- Drugs that reduce stomach acid (proton pump inhibitors).
Is Pyuria always a UTI?
UTIs are the most common cause of pyuria. However, just because you have pyuria doesn't mean it's always a UTI. Therefore,
it's best to see a doctor to find out exactly what's causing your pyuria. Is this contagious?
No, pyuria is not the only condition that is contagious. However,
many things that cause it can be contagious. For example, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), infections (STIs), adenoviruses, and some types of pneumonia can be contagious. Therefore, it is important to know the cause and take precautions accordingly.
How do you find this? (Diagnosis)
A doctor can tell if you have pyuria by doing
a urinalysis . During a urinalysis, you urinate into a special cup at your doctor's office. Then, the urine sample is sent to a lab. There, someone in the lab looks at your urine under a microscope to see if there are any white blood cells, bacteria, or blood in it. This is a very simple test.
What are the treatments?
Treatment for pyuria
depends on the cause.- For conditions like UTIs, bacterial STIs, or tuberculosis, a doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics . The most important thing is to take the full course of antibiotics your doctor prescribes, even if you feel better. If you don't, the cause of your pyuria may come back and be more difficult to treat later.
- If your pyuria doesn't improve after you've finished taking the full course of antibiotics, see your doctor again. It could be due to another condition.
What happens if left untreated?
If pyuria is left untreated,
depending on the cause, it can lead to more serious conditions. For example:
- Blood poisoning (septicemia)
- Kidney damage
- Internal organ failure
- Sometimes even death can occur.
Therefore, if you notice a change in your urine, don't ignore it. It's wise to see a doctor immediately and seek advice.
Does cranberry juice help?
There is some evidence that drinking cranberry juice can prevent or treat UTIs that cause pyuria. However,
there is not enough research to definitively say that cranberry juice is an effective treatment. If you have pyuria, it is best to talk to your doctor about appropriate treatment options.
How to protect yourself from this? (Prevention)
For most people, pyuria can be prevented by avoiding urinary tract infections (UTIs). Here are some tips to help prevent UTIs:
- Maintain good personal hygiene:
- It is very important for women to wipe from front to back after urinating or defecating.
- Change your menstrual hygiene products, such as pads and tampons, frequently.
- It's also a good idea to wash the skin around your vagina and anus frequently with clean water and, if necessary, a mild, unscented soap.
- Drink plenty of water and fluids: Drinking plenty of water and fluids will help "wash out" bacteria in your urinary tract. Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
- Take care of your clothes:
- Wear loose clothing that keeps your genital area dry and prevents bacterial growth.
- Cotton underwear helps absorb moisture. Underwear made from synthetic fibers allows moisture to dry quickly.
- Urinate after sex: Urinating after sex helps flush out bacteria that may have entered the urinary tract.
Also, protecting yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can help prevent pyuria. If you are sexually active, these tips may help:
- Use condoms: Using condoms reduces the risk of contracting an STI because they stop or significantly reduce the exchange of bodily fluids.
- Get tested for STIs: Getting tested can help prevent the spread of STIs to your sexual partners. It's a good idea for you and a new sexual partner to get tested for STIs before having sex for the first time.
- Be aware of STI symptoms: If you notice any symptoms of an STI, see a doctor immediately.
What happens if you have pyuria?
Pyuria is
a condition that usually responds well to treatment.If you have symptoms of pyuria, see a doctor right away. If your pyuria symptoms do not improve after treatment, talk to your doctor again. Your pyuria may be caused by a more serious condition. If so, your doctor may refer you to a specialist in the urinary system, such as a urologist or a nephrologist.
When should I see a doctor?
Talk to your doctor as soon as you notice any changes in your urine or symptoms of a UTI or STI. If your symptoms get worse after a doctor diagnoses you with a UTI or STI, see your doctor again. You may need a different treatment, or you may have another condition.
What questions should you ask the doctor?
When you go to see a doctor, it's a good idea to ask questions like these:
- How do you know if I have pyuria?
- If I don't have pyuria, what other condition could I have?
- How did I get pyuria?
- What kind of treatment do you recommend?
- How long and how many times a day should I take the medicine?
- How should I store my medicine?
- When will I start feeling better?
- Do I need to come for another test?
- Should I see a Urologist or a Nephrologist?
What is the difference between Pyuria and UTI?
Simply put:
- Pyuria is the presence of pus in your urine. This can make your urine look cloudy or discolored. The urine may have a foul odor. Pyuria is often a symptom of another condition, especially a urinary tract infection (UTI).
- A UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) is a common infection that occurs in your urinary tract. The bacteria E. coli is the most common cause of UTIs.
Final Take-Home Message
Pyuria is when you have white blood cells or pus in your urine. It can be surprising and even a little scary if your urine is cloudy or has a bad odor.
But don't worry. If you notice any changes in your urine, talk to a doctor right away. He or she can diagnose whether you have pyuria. Then, they can find the cause and give you the most effective treatment. Remember, the sooner you get diagnosed and treated, the sooner you can recover!
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