Why UTI Is a Frequent Misdiagnosis

Urinary tract infections are a common problem, particularly in women. However, their frequency might contribute to other conditions being misdiagnosed as UTIs.

This article addresses UTI misdiagnosis, explaining what a UTI is, how other illnesses might be incorrectly diagnosed as UTIs and what to do if you think you have this type of infection.

UTI Symptoms

A UTI is an infection of any part of the urinary system, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Typical UTI symptoms (for women and men) include:

• Frequent urination
• Burning sensation when urinating
• Pelvic pain
• Urgent need to urinate
• Unusual urine odor

A UTI that has spread to the kidneys can also cause:

• Fever
• Chills
• Flushed skin
• Back pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Proper UTI Diagnosis Is Essential

Because these infections are so common, there’s a risk of diagnosing and treating a condition as a UTI when, in fact, it’s something else. This is problematic for a few reasons. First, prescribing antibiotics (the primary treatment for UTIs) unnecessarily can lead to unwanted gut infections by killing beneficial bacteria.

Second, overuse of antibiotics contributes to increased antibiotic resistance. That is a growing problem in healthcare that can make it more difficult to treat infections.

Finally, defaulting to a UTI diagnosis can cause care providers to miss other illnesses.

Why Diagnosing UTIs Can Be Challenging

One of the biggest challenges in diagnosing UTIs is the collection of urine samples that labs evaluate for signs of infection. In order for that assessment to be accurate, the sample must be captured in a sterile way. That can be challenging for women for multiple reasons.

First, they need to clean their labia and the opening of the urethra effectively, which doesn’t always occur. They also need to hold the collection cup in place without letting it touch their skin while they start and stop their urine flow. And finally, they need to carefully cap the collection cup. If the sample is inadvertently contaminated at any point in the process, the testing results can be unpredictable.

Feel Free To Ask Questions About Your UTI Diagnosis

Maintaining good health and dealing with problems that arise is a collaborative effort involving you and your care team. While healthcare providers have extensive training in diagnosing and treating conditions like UTIs, they encourage you to ask questions or voice concerns.

If you want to know more about UTI misdiagnosis, don’t hesitate to ask. Your provider can explain the method they use to reach a diagnosis and decide on treatment. If more information about your condition comes to light in that conversation, they can take further action to ensure you get the optimal treatment.

Get Help With UTIs From Baptist Health

UTIs are common and easily treated infections. If you have symptoms like frequent urination, a burning sensation when you urinate or pelvic pain, contact your Baptist Health provider to schedule an appointment. They can do a physical exam and get a urine sample for testing to determine if you have a UTI or if another condition is causing your symptoms and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Don’t have a Baptist Health provider? You can find one in our online directory.

Next Steps and Helpful Resources