What does it mean when your urine does not grow a culture?

Question

Last week I went to a clinic because I was exhibiting signs of a UTI (contant feeling that I needed to urinate even though my bladder was empty). I was diagnosed with a UTI and prescribed Keflex. I took the antibiotic for 7 days and there was no relief what so ever. I called the clinic to discuss this with them and they told me I needed to see my doctor in order to have a culture grown from my urine. I went to the doctor yesterday and they took a urine sample - doc said there was lots of white blood cells signifying an infection and blood in my urine. She prescribed me Cipro and told me once the culture was grown, she would call me back if I needed to change to another medicine. When I got home today, I had a message from the dr. office saying that my urine did not grow a culture, but that the dr. wanted me to go ahead and take the Cipro for the full 7 days anyway. By the time I got the message, dr. office was already closed for the day.

So, since my urine did not grow a culture, does that mean I do not have a UTI?? Does it mean there is something else wrong with me??

I've taken 4 doses of the Cipro so far and I still do not feel any relief from the constant feeling that I need to urinate. It feels like someone is stepping on my bladder when it's full!!!! Very uncomfortable. Plus, now I am worried that maybe it is not a UTI at all and perhaps something else and the Cipro is not going to help me any.

Answer 1

Probably do have a UTI, keep taking the CIPRO until it is gone. The culture is to check to see which organism (bacteria) is infecting your urine. This has to 'grow' in a petri dish in a lab for 72 hours. If you were already on an antibiotic when the urine for the culture was collected it could have already been sterile from the medication thereby making the culture not 'grow' anything. You could take pyridium, which you can get by prescription from your doctor to help with the burning and cramping when you urinate. You can also get a bladder anesthetic called AZO over the counter at any drug store. Both medications will turn your urine colors. Whatever you do don't stop the CIPRO. Cranberry juice really does help, drink it. Sit in a warm bath. If you are prone to vaginal yeast infections watch for those symptoms too, especially after antibiotics.