What to expect from a urine test for kidney infection

The sample may be checked for white blood cells, blood, bacteria, and other signs of inflammation. A culture can identify a germ and show which medicines are more likely to work. Results are interpreted with fever, chills, nausea, pain in the side or back, and your general condition; urine testing alone cannot show how severely the kidneys are affected.

Collect the sample exactly as instructed, ideally before starting an antibiotic if your clinician advises this. Tell the healthcare team about recent antibiotics, pregnancy, allergies, kidney conditions, and medicines. Drink normally unless you have been given different fluid advice, and ask how results will be followed up.

Get urgent medical assessment for a high fever, shaking chills, worsening side or back pain, repeated vomiting, confusion, faintness, or difficulty keeping fluids down. Kidney infection symptoms can become serious, particularly when you feel markedly unwell or are pregnant.

Ask whether you need a culture, when treatment should begin, and how you will be contacted about the result. Clarify which symptoms mean you should return, whether blood tests or imaging are needed, and how to take any prescribed medicine.