Woman who are sexually active tend to have more urinary tract infections. Sexual intercourse can irritate the urethra, allowing germs to more easily travel through the urethra into the bladder.

After menopause, urinary tract infections may become more common because tissues of the vagina, urethra and the base of the bladder become thinner and more fragile due to loss of estrogen.

How Does the UTI Home Screening Test Stick Work?

The UTI Home Screening Test Stick is a simple, one-step test device for the rapid and qualitative detection of nitrite and protein in urine. Many bacteria can convert nitrates in your system to nitrites. The Test Stick will detect nitrites in your urine, which indicates that you probably have a urinary tract or bladder infection, and you should contact your physician.

Note: Since some bacteria are not capable of converting nitrates to nitrites, this test may not detect all UTI’s.

How do I read the results?

There are two test result “windows” located on the UTI Home Screening Test Stick

• the top window tests for nitrate
• the bottom window tests for protein

Test Results Nitrite Protein What Should You Do? Negative Negative Both tests are normal. However, you should test again the next day. If you continue to have symptoms, contact your doctor. Negative Positive A positive protein test shows you may have a urinary tract infection. Test again the next day, and if it tests positive again, contact your doctor. Positive Negative A positive nitrite result indicates you may have a urinary tract infection. Contact your doctor. Positive Positive Contact your doctor. Two positive tests are signs that you have a urinary tract infection.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION’S

What are the symptoms of a UTI?

A more serious infection involves the kidney (pyelonephritis): Symptoms develop rapidly and may or may not include the symptoms above.

• Fairly high fever (higher than 101°F
• Shaking chill
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Flank pain – Pain in your back or side, usually on only one side at about waist level

If you have symptoms of an infection involving the kidneys, call your health care provider immediately

How do I know if I have a UTI?

• Your doctor can perform some tests that will determine if you have a urinary tract infection. Your doctor may simply perform a urine dipstick in the office, and only a few minutes are needed to obtain results.
• Your doctor may also send your urine to the lab for testing. These results take a few days to come back. This tells your doctor the exact bacteria causing your infection and to which antibiotics should be prescribed.
• Blood tests usually are not required unless a complicated condition, such as pyelonephritis or kidney failure, is suspected

Test at Home

• You may decide to use a home testing test to help determine if you have a urinary tract infection before you visit your doctor. UTI Home Screening Test Sticks are available over-the-counter (a prescription is not necessary) at all major drugstores.

How are UTI’s treated?

• The usual treatment for both simple and complicated urinary tract infections is antibiotics. For a bladder infection, a three-day course of antibiotics is usually enough. Some physicians prefer a seven-day course of therapy to be sure of getting rid of the infection.
• Adult males with a UTI usually require 7 to 14 days of antibiotic therapy. If the prostate is also infected (prostatitis), more than two weeks of antibiotic treatment may be required.
• To alleviate burning pain during urination, phenazopyridine (UTI Relief), or a similar drug, can be used for one to two days.
• For infections involving the kidney (pyelonephritis), patients may receive IV may receive IV fluids and antibiotics or an injection of antibiotics, followed by 10-14 days of oral antibiotics. Some patients will require hospitalization. A complicated infection may require treatment for several weeks.

Can UTI’s be prevented?

Women and girls should wipe from front to back (not back to front) after going to the bathroom. This helps prevent bacteria from the anus entering the urethra.

• Empty your bladder regularly and completely, especially after sexual intercourse.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Many healthcare professionals believe that cranberry juice can help prevent urinary tract infections.
• According to the most recent positive randomized controlled clinical trial, the recommended dosing for UTI prophylaxis (prevention) is one tablet of concentrated cranberry extract (300 to 400 mg) twice daily, or 8 oz of pure unsweetened cranberry juice three times daily.

(Stothers L. A randomized trial to evaluate effectiveness and cost effectiveness of naturopathic cranberry products as prophylaxis against urinary tract infection in women. Can J Urol 2002;9:1558-62).