A urine culture is a test of a sample of urine to see if there are germs in your urine. If the test is positive, your healthcare provider can use the information to prescribe medicine to treat the infection.
A urine culture is done to diagnose or confirm an infection in the urinary tract. Sometimes it is done to make sure an infection has been completely treated. The urinary tract includes the kidneys, bladder, and urethra, which is the tube that drains urine out of the body.
The test will tell your healthcare provider:
There are 2 methods for collecting a urine specimen: the clean-catch method and the catheterization method.
The sample of urine is sent to a lab to see if any bacteria grow from it.
Ask your health care provider when and how you will get the result of your test. It usually takes 2 to 4 days for the urine culture result.
A negative test result is a normal result, which means no bacteria grew in the culture and you probably do not have an infection.
Usually a positive test result means you have a urinary tract infection. However, the result could be positive when you don't have an infection if too many bacteria from your skin got into the sample.
Test results are only one part of a larger picture that takes into account your medical history and current health. Sometimes a test needs to be repeated to check the first result. Talk to your healthcare provider about your result and ask questions.
If your test result is not normal, ask your healthcare provider: