Urinary Tract Infections are not a very pleasant experience. Common symptoms include frequent urge to urinate, painful urination, blood in urine, and more. More severe infections can even cause fever, nausea, back pain, and more. 

Every yearUTIs send more than 8.1 million people to healthcare facilities. Though most of these are women, men can also experience UTIs. 

The good news is that UTIs are very treatable. But first, they must be properly diagnosed. It’s not always enough to determine that the underlying cause is a UTI. This is because UTIs can be caused by a variety of bacteria. In order to prescribe the most effective antibiotic, the bacteria must be accurately identified.  

This is where a PCR test can help. 

How Does PCR Testing Work? 

PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing has a number of applications. In the case of UTIs, PCR testing is used to screen your urine for wide variety of bacteria that can cause infectionsNot only does this provide more specific results than traditional urine tests, but it can pick up on infections that might otherwise be missed.  

With the underlying bacteria identified, your urologist can prescribe the most effective antibiotic. In addition to being highly accurate, PCR testing is also very quick, with results showing up in as little as one day.  

Getting a Diagnosis for Your UTI 

While some UTIs can go away on their own, many will continue to cause problems if left untreated. If you’re experiencing any symptoms relating to a UTI, it’s best to see a urologist as soon as possible. Many urinary and bladder conditions share similar symptoms, which means you could be experiencing something else altogether. 

The only way to find out is to meet with an experienced urologist. 

At Urology Specialists of Ohio, we utilize the latest methods and technology to offer faster and more effective treatment for our patients. This includes PCR testing for UTIs. For a trustworthy urologist in the Dayton, Ohio area, contact Urology Specialists of Ohio today!