What does a positive urinalysis mean?

A urine test can look for blood, white blood cells, protein, glucose, ketones, bacteria, nitrites and other changes. White cells, nitrites or bacteria can support a urinary tract infection, particularly with burning, urgency or frequent urination. Fever, side pain or vomiting raises concern for a kidney infection. Blood or protein can have several explanations, including contamination, stones, exercise or kidney conditions. Urine concentration also changes with hydration. A positive marker is not a diagnosis by itself.

Ask which marker was abnormal and whether the sample was collected cleanly. A clinician may repeat the urine test, arrange a culture or check blood tests, depending on the finding. Drink normally unless you have been told to restrict fluids. Antibiotic treatment is useful for some bacterial infections, but taking leftover antibiotics can hide results and may treat the wrong cause. Men with troublesome urinary flow symptoms may also need assessment for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Seek urgent care for fever with flank or back pain, shaking chills, repeated vomiting, confusion, faintness, inability to pass urine or visible heavy blood in the urine. Contact a clinician promptly for painful urination, new urinary frequency, pregnancy with urinary symptoms, or a result showing blood or protein that persists.

Ask which findings were positive, whether a culture is needed, whether you should repeat the sample, what treatment is appropriate, and when persistent blood or protein needs further review.