A urine culture is a lab test to find and identify bacteria and yeast in the urine that can cause infections. The test is usually done to diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI). A UTI can occur in the bladder, urethra, or kidney.
For the urine culture, a sample of your urine is collected and sent to a lab. The lab will look for signs of infection, such as the presence of bacteria or yeast. The lab will also identify the type of bacteria or yeast that is causing the infection.
The urine culture is usually positive within 2 to 3 days after the start of the infection. The results of the culture can help your healthcare provider choose the best treatment for the infection.