Lab test · Urine
Urine Culture and Sensitivity (Urine C/S)
Urine infection & right antibiotic
- Urine sample
- No fasting
- Report within 24 hours
- Home collection
What this test is for
Urine infection & right antibiotic
A urine culture checks whether bacteria are growing in your urine. The sample is placed on a special growth medium, and if bacteria grow, the laboratory identifies them and tests which antibiotics can kill them (the sensitivity test). This confirms a urinary tract infection and helps your doctor choose an antibiotic that will work, which matters more as antibiotic resistance becomes common.
Why a doctor may order it
- If you have burning when passing urine, need to go often, or have lower tummy pain
- When a urine R/E shows pus cells or bacteria
- If a urine infection has not cleared with treatment or keeps coming back
- If you have fever with back or side pain, which can mean a kidney infection
- During pregnancy, as urine infections can occur without symptoms
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
Give the sample before starting antibiotics if possible, as they can stop bacteria growing in the test. If you are already taking an antibiotic, tell the collector and your doctor, and do not stop it without medical advice. Wash your hands and clean the genital area with water before collecting, and use the first morning urine where possible.
At home
- Sample
- Urine sample
- How it works
- You will be given a sterile container; avoid touching the inside of it or the lid. Let the first part of the urine flow into the toilet, collect the midstream portion, and seal the lid straight away. The collector labels the sample and takes it for culture.
- Report
- Within 24 hours of collection.
What the results can mean
If there is no significant growth, a bacterial urine infection is unlikely. If bacteria grow, the report names them and lists which antibiotics they are sensitive or resistant to. Growth of several types of bacteria often means the sample was contaminated, and a repeat may be needed. Your doctor will interpret the report and decide on treatment.
What's included
One test: Urine Culture and Sensitivity (Urine C/S), from one urine sample.
Related tests
- Urine Routine Examination (Urine R/E)Urine infection & kidney screen৳110
- Urine Albumin-Creatinine Ratio (ACR)This test compares the amount of albumin, a protein, with the amount of creatinine, a waste product, in a single urine sample.
- Kidney Function Test (RFT)A kidney function test, also called a renal function test (RFT), is a group of blood tests that show how well your kidneys are filtering waste from the blood.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)A complete blood count looks at the three main types of cells in your blood: red blood cells, which carry oxygen; white blood cells, which fight infection; and platelets, which help blood to clot.
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP), QuantitativeC-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein made by the liver in response to inflammation.
- Blood Culture and SensitivityA blood culture checks for bacteria or yeasts in the bloodstream.
Questions people ask
Why should the sample be taken before antibiotics?
Antibiotics can stop bacteria from growing in the test even if the infection has not fully cleared, which can give a falsely negative result. A sample taken before treatment gives the clearest answer.
What do 'sensitive' and 'resistant' mean in the report?
Sensitive means the antibiotic is expected to work against the bacteria that grew. Resistant means it is unlikely to work. Your doctor uses this list to choose treatment.
Can a urine culture be negative even with symptoms?
Yes. Burning or frequent urination can have other causes, such as irritation, some sexually transmitted infections or kidney stones, and recent antibiotics can also give a negative culture. Your doctor will look for other causes.
How much does a Urine C/S test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳450, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the Urine C/S test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the urine sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the Urine C/S report take?
The report is usually ready within 24 hours of the sample being collected.