Understanding Urinary Tract Infections with Negative Urinalysis Results

June 5, 2024

2 minutes

Negative urinalysis test

The laboratory test for a urinary tract infection (UTI) is called the urinalysis (UA). Although it is known for being reliable, no test is perfect. In medicine, there is a saying: treat the patient rather than the lab. What are some of the signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection?

Kidney Infection (UTI that Spread to the Kidneys)

  • Lower back and side (flank) pain
  • Fever
  • Shaking chills
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Weakness

Bladder Infection (Cystitis)

  • Pelvic pressure
  • Lower abdominal pain
  • Frequent, painful urination
  • Red or brown urine
  • Cloudy urine

Urethral Infection (Urethritis)

  • Burning pain with urination
  • Discharge

When a UTI is suspected, physicians get a history from the patient to rule out other causes of the patient’s complaints. If the urinalysis is negative, but a UTI is still highly suspected, a trial of an antibiotic might be prescribed, along with further tests to find other possible diagnoses. Alternatively, a urine culture can be sent, and if bacteria grows after a few days, antibiotics should be started.

On the other hand, a positive urinalysis without any symptoms should not routinely be treated with antibiotics in an otherwise healthy individual. A positive urinalysis does not always equal a urinary tract infection. Therefore, screening urinalysis should not be performed on healthy adults without UTI symptoms, as this will lead to many false positive results and unnecessary antibiotic administration. This may result in antibiotic resistance and side effects like diarrhea.

Conclusion: When to Seek Help for UTI Symptoms

When diagnosing a UTI, it is essential to consider both lab results and patient symptoms. If you suspect a UTI, a healthcare provider can help determine the best course of action.

Did you know? QuickMD can treat your UTI symptoms by telemedicine: our doctors can order a urinalysis for you and get you treated if positive.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer Articles on this website are meant for educational purposes only and are not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Do not delay care because of the content on this site. If you think you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call your doctor immediately or call 911 (if within the United States). This blog and its content are the intellectual property of QuickMD LLC and may not be copied or used without permission.

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