Preparation For Testing:

It's recommended to take a sample of urine for the test in the early morning since it's the most concentrated.

The urine used for the test should not come into contact with water from the toilet or any disinfectant or cleaning substances.

For women only: The test should not be performed during or for three days after your menstrual period. The urine sample should not be contaminated with vaginal fluids since this may produce a misleading result.

Testing:

1. Wash your hands with soap and rinse with clear warm water.
2. Open the box and remove the 6 items, placing them on a clean and flat surface.
3. Go to the bathroom and collect part of the urine in the supplied plastic cup or use a clean cup without any residual detergents. Make sure to fill up the cup with urine.
4. Open the foil pouch and take out the test dipstick. DO NOT touch the test fields. Once the pouch is opened, it is recommended to perform the test immediately.
5. Dip the test strip in the urine sample. Make sure that all four test fields are immersed for about 1-2 seconds.
6. Remove the test strip and place it on a clean horizontal surface.
7. Wait 2 minutes for the results. DO NOT read the results after 3 minutes.
8. Place the test dipstick next to the colour card provided and read the result separately for each parameter. Compare the colour with the colour chart provided.

What is a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

A UTI is an infection of anywhere along the urinary tract. This includes the urethra (the tube which we urinate out of), the bladder, the ureters (the tubes that connect the bladder to the kidneys), and the kidneys themselves. When doctors talk about a UTI, we tend to mean an infection of the bladder, also known as cystitis.  

What is cystitis?

Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder, usually caused by a bacterial infection (although there are other reasons why people can get an inflamed bladder). 

What are the symptoms of cystitis?

• Lower stomach pain
• Foul-smelling urine
• Urgency (feeling like you can’t hold your urine in)
• Frequency (needing the toilet lots of times)
• Pain when passing urine (this can sometimes be stinging)
• Confusion in elderly people
• Blood in your urine

 In older people, a urinary tract infection can cause confusion or delirium. 

When should I seek medical attention?

• If the pain is severe
• If you are experiencing pain high up in your stomach and around the sides of your torso. This may indicate an infection of the kidneys, which is more serious.
• If you develop a temperature or fever
• If you suffer from any medical condition that reduces your ability to fight infections

How is it treated?

In most cases, cystitis can be treated with a short course of antibiotics.  

Who is at risk of cystitis?

Females are much more likely to get cystitis than men. This is because the tube women urinate out of (the urethra) is much shorter compared to men, therefore the bacteria are more likely to get into the bladder.

Other things that can increase women’s chance of having cystitis are: pregnancy, being sexually active, going through menopause, having diabetes, having a reduced immune system, or having a long-term catheter (a tube that goes into your bladder through which urine is collected). 

What can I do to prevent cystitis?

There are some simple things you can do to improve the chances of not getting cystitis, such as wiping from front to back, passing urine after sexual intercourse and staying well hydrated.

There is some evidence that drinking cranberry juice can help with urinary tract infections however this is not conclusive. 

What should I do if I get recurrent episodes of cystitis?

If you are female, speak with one of our doctors if you are getting two or more episodes of cystitis in six months or three or more episodes in one year. They may want to refer you to a specialist. 

If you are male, speak with one of our doctors if you test positive for cystitis. They may wish to arrange further tests. 

What happens if I leave cystitis untreated?

If cystitis is left untreated, then it can lead to a worse infection along the urinary tract. This can lead to sepsis - a life-threatening condition that needs to be treated in a hospital.