What is a pyuria mean?
Pyuria is defined as the presence of 10 or more white cells per cubic millimeter in a urine specimen, 3 or more white cells per high-power field of unspun urine, a positive result on Gram’s staining of an unspun urine specimen, or a urinary dipstick test that is positive for leukocyte esterase. 1.
What can pyuria indicate?
Pyuria can cause the urine to look cloudy or as if it contains pus. The presence of pyuria often occurs in a urinary tract infection (UTI). In rare cases, it can be a sign of a complicated UTI or sepsis.
Does pyuria mean UTI?
Pyuria, by far, is the most common cause of white blood cells in the urine is due to an infection of the urinary system. This is often referred to as a UTI. It usually occurs in the bladder, but may also be of the kidney.
Is pyuria serious?
Left untreated, pyuria can lead to further health complications. Since most cases are caused by some form of an infection, this can spread throughout the body. Untreated infections can lead to blood poisoning and organ failure. Permanent kidney damage is a concern with untreated UTIs.
Can pyuria cause back pain?
However, this is usually caused by a bacterial infection in the urinary tract that is also associated with other symptoms, such as frequent urination, painful urination and abdominal or lower back pain. In more severe infections, there may also be signs of fever, chills, nausea and vomiting.
Is pyuria a bacterial infection?
As mentioned previously, by far the most prevalent cause of pyuria is a bacterial infection of the urinary tract. However, there are several health conditions that may be responsible for causing pyuria.
Can pyuria go away on its own?
The outlook for pyuria largely depends on the cause as well as how early it’s treated. For most people, it can clear up with prompt treatment. If you have frequent UTIs or other chronic or ongoing conditions, you might get recurring cases of pyuria.