Urine culture
urine culture · urine culture and sensitivity · urine test for infection
Urine is placed in a growth medium to see if germs grow. If they do, the lab checks which antibiotics work on them.
For burning and frequent urination, a suspected kidney or bladder infection, during pregnancy, and to check after treatment.
⏱ Duration: collecting takes a few minutes; results usually take 3 to 7 days
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Antibiotics. The culture is usually done before you start antibiotics. If you already take them, tell your doctor and they will decide.
- Container. Get a sterile container from a pharmacy or your clinic. Do not open it early or touch the inside.
- Time. The first morning urine is best. It usually needs to reach the lab within 1 to 2 hours. Check with your clinic.
What to bring
- The container with your urine
- Your referral
How it goes
- In the morning, wash your hands and genitals with water, without antiseptic
- Women: cover the vaginal opening with a cotton pad
- Let the first small amount go into the toilet
- Collect the middle part in the container without touching its edges
- Let the rest go into the toilet
- Close the lid tightly and label the container
What you'll feel
- Nothing unpleasant. It is a regular urine collection
Afterwards
- Take the container to the lab as soon as you can
- Until then, keep it in a cool place. Do not freeze it
- Show the result with the antibiotic choice to your doctor
Contact a doctor straight away if
- A fever over 38 degrees with chills and lower back pain
- Blood in your urine, severe pain, or you cannot pass urine
Common questions
Why collect the middle part of the urine?
The first part has germs from the skin. The middle part is cleaner, so the result is more accurate.
Can I do a urine culture while taking antibiotics?
You can, but the result may look falsely good. Tell your doctor you are taking them.