UTI / Chronic UTI

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the urinary system—most commonly the bladder or urethra—typically caused by bacteria entering and multiplying in the urinary tract. Common symptoms include burning or pain with urination, frequent or urgent urination, lower abdominal discomfort, and urine that may be cloudy, bloody, or have a strong odor. If a UTI is not appropriately treated, the infection can spread from the bladder to the kidneys and become more serious.


A chronic or recurrent UTI generally refers to infections that repeatedly return, with recurrent UTI commonly defined as two or more infections within six months or three or more within one year. A medical clinic treating recurrent UTIs may evaluate the patient's symptoms and medical history, perform a physical examination, and use urine testing and, when appropriate, a urine culture to identify the infection and help guide antibiotic selection. Treatment typically involves an appropriate antibiotic when a bacterial infection is confirmed, while recurrent cases may require additional evaluation to identify contributing factors such as incomplete bladder emptying, urinary tract abnormalities, kidney stones, or other underlying issues.

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PCR Urine Testing


What is it?


A urine PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test is a fast, highly accurate, and non-invasive diagnostic tool that detects the genetic material (DNA) of bacteria, fungi, or viruses directly from a urine sample. Unlike traditional cultures that take days, PCR provides rapid results—often within 24 hours—to identify specific pathogens, even in low amounts, to guide targeted treatment for infections like UTIs


Why do it?


It is much faster and more accurate than traditional cultures and can detect infections when symptoms are present but standard tests come back negative. It allows our Doctors to prescribe the proper antibiotic for the infection. Different types of Urinary Tract Infections are resistant to certain antibiotics. This test allows our Doctors to prescribe the right medication to best treat each patient as needed.