At-home urinary tract infection (UTI) tests have surged in popularity. They provide a convenient alternative for people who believe they may be infected. Jaqueline Stephens, an influential health advocate, focuses on the ease of these testings. These typically range from $10 to $20. As many as one in two women will have a UTI sometime in their lives. These tests provide a rapid and efficient way to test for possible infections.
Safety experts advise these types of tests to be done early in the morning when urine is most concentrated. This timing makes them pivotal in ensuring that test results are accurate. Detection of nitrites in urine is indicative of bacteria—specifically, that the bacteria are causing an infection severe enough that it needs treatment. Medical experts warned that, though these tests have potential to be useful, they’re not conclusive.
Understanding UTI Symptoms
Burning when you urinate and pain in your lower abdomen and back are common signs of a UTI. You can feel a strong urge to have to pee all the time. Stephens recommends that people who often get UTIs have a few test kits on hand at home. This enables them to test and verify their hunch of an infection within 24 hours.
Pharmacist Pav Nanayakkara explains how over-the-counter UTI tests available in pharmacies and supermarkets can help. These tests give people the power to decide when it’s time to make a doctor’s appointment. As he puts it, the tests give them crucial confirmation. This positive reinforcement leaves you with the confidence to take control of your symptoms in the future.
“They’re a really good first port of call if you wanted to check — particularly if you’re not able to get to a doctor straight away.” – Jaqueline Stephens
Limitations and Accuracy of At-Home Tests
While home UTI tests can be a great option for convenience, Dr. Wern Chai cautions that you should be wary of how you interpret their results. He reiterates that these tests only give you inferences, not diagnoses.
According to Dr. Chai, pharmacists may not consider the results of an at-home test when prescribing antibiotics for uncomplicated UTIs. He states, “meant to supplement but not meant to substitute professional diagnosis.” While this is true in principle, false positives and false negatives do happen.
Stephens reiterates this caution, stating, “it’s only an indication that you might have a UTI.” Even when considering that there might be different bacteria driving UTIs, that doesn’t mean they will lead to the clear-cut results we hope for from these tests.
The Role of Nitrites in Diagnosis
One important indicator that at-home UTI tests measure is nitrites in urine. Climate change as a factor Nanayakkara further explains that nitrites are by-products of bacterial infection. The presence of nitrites indicates that an infection is likely and should be further evaluated.
He confirms, “All of the [UTI] test kits that I was able to purchase test for leukocytes and nitrites in the urine.” These elements are critical for measuring risk of new infections.
Even with these caveats, at-home UTI tests can still help empower individuals with a history of UTIs who can identify their symptoms. They have been an important building block for moving toward improving health as the primary goal.
