Urinary Tract Infection Detection

What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?

The typical urinary tract infection presents with irritative symptoms of the urinary system, and they may include night-time urination, urgency and frequency of urination, and sometimes an urge related to incontinence. In other words, the urge hits and the individual is unable to hold onto the urine, and the loss of urine occurs in an unexpected and urgent fashion. In severe cystitis or urinary tract infections even haematuria or blood in the urine may be present.

How will my doctor test for a urinary tract infection?

The primary way to test for a urinary tract infection includes urinalysis as a screening tool followed by culture and sensitivity which can take another 48-72 hours to confirm the presence of a growth of a micro-organism. Identification of the micro-organism can help in appropriately treating the urinary tract infection with the correct antibiotic.

What is a "cystoscopy"?

A cystoscopy is a test. It's performed in the office setting in 99% of the times that we do them, and it consists of passing a fibre-optic scope with a camera allowing us to investigate the entire lower urinary tract; that is, the urethra and the bladder. It's a procedure that's performed with a local anaesthetic. It's only mildly uncomfortable and can take a minute or two, at most, to perform. So, a cystoscopy can be a useful aid in diagnosis, in terms of helping us determine the exact cause of a urinary tract infection if it's related to the lower urinary tract. The cystoscopy is, again, only mildly uncomfortable and can be performed very quickly and easily to assist us in diagnosis.