UTI Test

Ideally, the specimen for routine urinalysis should be examined while fresh (less than 1 hour; 2 hours maximum). If this is not possible, it should be refrigerated immediately and/or have an appropriate chemical preservative added until examined. Specimens stored at room temperature will soon begin to decompose, mainly due to the presence of bacteria in the sample. Refrigerated samples should be used within 24 hours of collection.

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Yes, antibiotics can affect urine tests in various ways. Here are a few examples:

1. Alteration of Results: Antibiotics can interfere with urine tests by affecting the bacterial growth in cultures. For instance, if you're being tested for a urinary tract infection (UTI), antibiotics can reduce the number of bacteria in your urine, which might lead to a negative culture result even if an infection is present.
2. Chemical Interference: Some antibiotics can chemically interfere with the urine test itself. They may cause changes in the color of the urine or react with the chemicals used in the testing process, leading to inaccurate readings.
3. False Positives/Negatives: Certain antibiotics can cause false positives or negatives in tests for substances like glucose or proteins in the urine.
4. Impact on Kidney Function Tests: Antibiotics, especially those that are potentially nephrotoxic, can affect kidney function, which might be reflected in urine tests that measure kidney health.

If you are taking antibiotics and need to undergo a urine test, it's important to inform the healthcare provider about your medication. This will help them interpret the test results more accurately.

Some uncomplicated infections may clear up on their own in a week or two. However, most UTIs require antibiotics for treatment.

If left untreated for a prolonged period, there is a risk of the infection getting worse. Untreated urinary tract infections can cause kidney damage. If the infection spreads to other parts of the body, it can lead to sepsis. It is vital to consult with a physician if you have a UTI that has not resolved on its own or if the symptoms persist/keep getting worse.

For uncomplicated UTIs, you can use over-the-counter medications to help relieve the symptoms. You can learn more about it in this link.

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Read the results at 2 minutes in a good light. Pad colors may continue to change after 2 minutes – therefore, it is essential to read the results promptly, as color changes that may occur after a significant time has passed are of no diagnostic significance.

The UTI urine test strip is lined with two reagent pads – leukocytes and nitrite:

Leukocytes: The detection of the white blood cells in urine suggests inflammation and/or active immune response, which may be a sign of UTI.

Nitrite: Screening for possible asymptomatic infections caused by nitrate-reducing bacteria.

The Urinox-UTI test is used to aid in the diagnosis of urinary tract infections. It can be used to detect levels of leukocytes and nitrite in the urine sample. Scientific studies suggest that leukocytes and nitrite in urine assist in the diagnosis of a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Urine tests can sometimes give false results, meaning they show a problem when there isn't actually one and similarly do not correctly determine a problem when there is one. This can happen for different reasons, such as if the urine is too old or if certain substances or medications are present. Also, if the test is not used properly or if the urine container is not sterile or properly cleaned, it can also give false results.

Common reasons that cause false readings on a urinalysis test are:

• Taking specific drugs, such as Levodopa, Phenazopyrazine, and a high dosage of Vitamin C can cause a false positive for Ketone.
• Dehydration, high specific gravity, and a delayed urine sample can also cause a false positive for Ketone.
• Urine with a pH of 7.5, urine with the presence of penicillin, pus, semen, or vaginal can cause a false positive for high protein in the urine.
• A high dosage of Vitamin C can cause false-negative nitrite.
• Drug Tetracycline can cause false-negative leukocytes.
• Vitamin C in urine can also cause false-negative results for blood cells and glucose.

If none of the reagent pads on your urine test strip change color, it is still a valid result and quite common. This generally means a negative result for all parameters. Make sure all pads are thoroughly wet.

Leukocytes and Nitrite are considered key parameters to aid in the diagnosis of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and bladder infections. A positive leukocyte or the presence of nitrite in the urine supports the diagnosis of UTI. A color darker than cream is considered a positive result for both leukocytes and nitrites.

Refer to this blog for more details on how to interpret results.

Urine parameters can change throughout the day due to your diet and fluid intake.

The first-morning sample is usually considered best because it is more concentrated and more likely to detect abnormalities. The urinalysis that tests specifically for nitrites and bacteria requires time to convert nitrates to nitrites. Supposing that if you have slept for at least four hours without urinating, the bacteria has had sufficient time to complete the conversion and provide a rich sample for testing.

Your healthcare provider can guide you on the best times to conduct urinalysis based on your health and body needs. A 24-hour urine test is sometimes recommended to track daily urine parameters

The urine should be collected using the ‘Clean Catch’ method. To make sure that you get an accurate urinalysis test every time, please see some important points below:

• Use only clean, preferably, sterile urine specimen containers.
• Before taking the test, make sure that your hands and genital area are clean.
• Midstream urine is the best sample for urinalysis.
• Examination of the urine with test strips should be carried out as soon as possible.
• Cleaning agents and disinfectants can distort results (false-positive findings for different parameters).

Materials required for testing are:

1. Urine test strip
2. Color Chart
3. Specimen collection container (e.g., a clean disposable cup or sterile container).

Individual wrapping of Urinox test strips ensures that each urinalysis strip is fresh and not altered by atmospheric conditions so that you get a reliable result every time. This also allows urine test strips to have a shelf life of 24 months from the manufacturing date. Most conventional urinalysis products have a brief shelf life of 30-60 days after opening the bottle. Individual wrapping of strips has various benefits, including less strip wastage, portability for travel, and storage convenience.

A urinalysis strip (dipstick) is a narrow plastic strip that has several square-shaped pads of different colors attached to it. Each small pad represents a chemical parameter (a component of the test) used to interpret urinalysis. When dipped in the urine, pad colors change in response to the chemical characteristics of the urine. The color changes are noted at specific time intervals and compared against the reference color chart/key.