Question: What tests do health care professionals use to diagnose a bladder infection?
Answer: Health care professionals may use lab tests to test your urine or your blood. Lab tests include urinalysis, urine culture, and blood tests. Your health care professional may also use imaging or other tests.

Lab tests

Urinalysis

Urinalysis checks your urine sample for blood in the urine and white blood cells. Your body produces white blood cells when it is fighting infection caused by bacteria.

Urine culture

Urine culture identifies some common types of bacteria in your urine. This test may help to see whether antibiotics are a treatment option. You will typically get your test results in a few days.

Blood tests

Blood tests look for a more serious infection, such as a kidney infection. A blood test may also show how well your kidneys are working.

Imaging and other tests

If you have repeat bladder infections, your health care professional may also use

urinary tract imagingto help identify the cause of your infection, such as akidney stone
cystoscopyto look inside theurethraandbladder