Accurate diagnosis is the first step toward effective treatment. When you visit our clinic with suspected UTI symptoms, our urology specialists will perform a thorough evaluation to confirm the presence of infection and determine its extent. The diagnostic process typically includes:

• Medical History and Symptom Review: The doctor will discuss your symptoms (such as pain when urinating, frequent urination, etc.), their duration, and any previous history of UTIs or related conditions. They will also ask about risk factors like recent sexual activity, use of catheters, or, in men, any prostate issues.
• Physical Examination: A focused examination may be done to check for fever, abdominal or flank tenderness (which could indicate kidney involvement), and in some cases, a quick check for any genital or prostate tenderness in men. This helps assess whether the infection might be affecting the upper urinary tract (kidneys) or remaining localized to the lower tract (bladder and urethra).
• Urinalysis: You will be asked to provide a urine sample, which is tested in the lab for signs of infection. Urinalysis can detect the presence of bacteria, white blood cells (indicating an immune response), red blood cells, and other markers that signal a UTI. It’s a quick and essential test to verify that an infection is present.
• Urine Culture: For a definitive diagnosis, the urine sample may be cultured to identify the specific bacteria causing the infection. This test typically takes 24-48 hours to grow bacteria from the urine. Identifying the exact bacterial strain is very useful, as it allows the doctor to select the most effective antibiotic for treatment. The culture report will also show which antibiotics the bacteria are sensitive or resistant to, guiding a targeted therapy.
• Additional Tests (if needed): For recurrent or complicated UTIs, extra tests like bloodwork or imaging (ultrasound, CT scan) may be recommended. These help check for infection spread, kidney stones, or anatomical issues. Men with frequent UTIs might need a prostate exam or further imaging to identify contributing factors.

Our Urology department in Dubai is equipped with state-of-the-art laboratory and imaging facilities, ensuring that we can diagnose genitourinary infections accurately and promptly. The results of these diagnostic steps allow our urinary tract infection doctors to distinguish between a simple lower UTI (like bladder infection) and a more severe or complicated infection, and to rule out other conditions that might mimic UTI symptoms. Once a UTI is confirmed, we move quickly to initiate the appropriate treatment.