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What does it mean if you have leukocytes and nitrite in your urine?

Author

Emily Ross

Published Jan 09, 2026

Urinary tract infection test strips are a quick, easy, and cost effective way to test for a UTI at home. The test works by testing for nitrites and leukocytes in the urine. When both nitrites and leukocytes come up as positive, it is very likely a UTI is present.

What does nitrites and leukocytes in urine mean?

The presence of nitrites in the urine is highly specific to certain bacterial infections. Nitrites do not occur with all types of bacteria. An absence of leukocyte esterase in the urine means that the urine is not likely to contain white blood cells, so it is not likely to be carrying infectious agents.

What causes leukocytes and nitrates in urine?

An infection in your urinary tract is the most likely cause of leukocytes in your urine. Any time you have an infection, your immune system ramps up production of these cells to fight off the bacteria. More than half of women and about 1 in 5 men will get a UTI at some point in their lives.

Does positive nitrites always mean UTI?

If there are nitrites in your urine, it may mean that you have a UTI. However, even if no nitrites are found, you still may have an infection, because bacteria don't always change nitrates into nitrites.

Can you have leukocytes in urine without infection?

It is possible to have white blood cells in the urine without a bacterial infection. Sterile pyuria refers to the persistent presence of white blood cells in the urine when no bacteria are found to be present by laboratory examination.

23 related questions found

Can stress cause leukocytes in urine?

The presence of large amount of leukocyte in the urine may be due to the kidney stones. Anxiety mystification occurs when various issues can effort together. Stress hormones are liberated from the body in case of high level of anxiety. The symptoms produced in this condition are headaches, sadness and dizziness.

What does it mean when you test positive for leukocytes and negative for nitrite?

However, negative test results do not rule out a urinary tract infection, and you should talk to a health care provider if you have UTI symptoms or are at higher risk of UTIs. Positive leukocytes and negative nitrites means that only leukocytes were detected in your urine.

What's the difference between leukocytes and nitrite?

When your urine is nitrite positive, it likely means there's a bacterial infection. Leukocyte negative means that the amount of white blood cells in your urine are low and not secreting leukocyte esterase, which is a compound white blood cells excrete when they're activated, or fighting off an infection.

What is the best antibiotic for a UTI?

Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, nitrofurantoin, and fosfomycin are the most preferred antibiotics for treating a UTI.
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Common doses:

  • Amoxicillin/clavulanate: 500 twice a day for 5 to 7 days.
  • Cefdinir: 300 mg twice a day for 5 to 7 days.
  • Cephalexin: 250 mg to 500 mg every 6 hours for 7 days.

Are bananas good for urinary tract infection?

Bananas and other high-fiber foods can be good for urinary tract health and preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs) by encouraging regular bowel movements and relieving pressure on urine flow.

How do you get rid of nitrites in urine?

The treatment for nitrites in your urine usually involves a course of antibiotics. The exact type your doctor will prescribe depends on what kind of bacteria has infected your urinary tract, your medical history, and whether or not you're pregnant.

Can leukocytes in urine mean STD?

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) A urinalysis can give clues to the presence of sexually transmitted infections. A positive dipstick for leukocyte esterase or increased numbers of white blood cells in the microscopic exam is suggestive of chlamydia or gonoccocal infection.

Can you have nitrates in urine without infection?

A positive nitrite test usually means infection. It generally requires more than 10,000 bacteria per mL to turn the nitrite dipstick positive, making it a specific but not a sensitive test. A negative nitrite test does not rule out a UTI, but a positive one strongly suggests infection.

Can leukocytes in urine mean yeast infection?

Infection

A urinary tract infection (or UTI) is the most commonly occurring reason for increased levels of leukocytes in the urine. High levels indicate that the immune system is trying to fight off a fungal, bacterial or parasitic infection by fungus.

Can a positive UTI test mean something else?

False positives may present if the urine specimen appears red due to any cause; for example, recent ingestion of common UTI pain relief medication containing phenazopyradine dye or contamination with menstrual fluid.

Can Covid cause leukocytes in urine?

In our study, we have found increase white blood cells (WBC) in the urine of about half of the tested COVID-19 patients (Table 2). In most of the cases there was a negative bacterial urine culture.

Why won't my UTI go away with antibiotics?

There are three primary reasons that this may happen: an antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria is causing your UTI. another type of bacteria, fungi, or virus may be causing your infection. your UTI may be another condition that has UTI-like symptoms.

Why do I keep getting urinary tract infections?

Having a suppressed immune system or chronic health condition can make you more prone to recurring infections, including UTIs. Diabetes increases your risk for a UTI, as does having certain autoimmune diseases, neurological diseases and kidney or bladder stones.

What is the fastest way to get rid of a bladder infection?

Most bladder infections are treated with antibiotics. This is the fastest way to get rid of a bladder infection.
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Medications to treat bladder infections include:

  1. Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid)
  2. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim)
  3. Fosfomycin (Monurol)

Can AZO cause false positive UTI test?

In addition, false-positive results for nitrite will occur if the dipstick is exposed to air or phenazopyridine, a common prescription and OTC product (e.g., Pyridium, AZO) used as a urinary analgesic.

Can dehydration cause UTI?

Dehydration may increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), which can lead to confusion, falls, acute kidney injury and hospital admission.

What is a silent UTI?

A silent UTI is just like a regular UTI, only without the typical symptoms that prove our immune system is fighting off the infection. That's why those with weaker immune systems, especially the elderly, are more prone to silent UTIs. Urinary tract infections are risky to begin with.

Can being run down cause UTI?

Commonly known as UTI, urinary tract infections can be induced by stress. Feeling highly stressed is not the direct cause, but it leads to high levels of cortisol, which reduce the effect of the immune system.

How do you get rid of nitrates in urine naturally?

To treat a UTI without antibiotics, people can try these approaches.

  1. Stay hydrated. Drinking enough water can help prevent and treat UTIs. ...
  2. Urinate when the need arises. ...
  3. Drink cranberry juice. ...
  4. Use probiotics. ...
  5. Get enough vitamin C. ...
  6. Wipe from front to back. ...
  7. Practice good sexual hygiene.

What antibiotic is used for nitrates in urine?

Nitrofurantoin is an oral antibiotic that is used in the treatment and prevention of lower UTIs.