## What does a urinalysis check? It first evaluates the color, density, and acidity, as well as: - Sugar level - Protein content - Erythrocyte level - Leukocyte level - The presence of bacteria (increased levels of more than 1×10⁵/ml are considered pathological). ## Where do bacteria come from? The most common reason for the presence of bacteria in the urine is cystitis, an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder. Cystitis and other inflammatory processes indicate an increase in white blood cells. The symptoms are usually obvious: constant urges to urinate, painful urination, or even the appearance of traces of blood in the urine. Although cystitis can be very inconvenient, it can easily be effectively treated. The appearance of bacteria in the analysis can indicate ===kidney disease, pyelonephritis, and other pathologies of the genitourinary system. In this case, a consultation with a nephrologist is needed. An increase in the number of leukocytes, red blood cells, and the detection of protein are all grounds for suspicion. Some bacteria are constantly present in the human body, including staphylococci, streptococci, Klebsiella, enterococci, and many others — and they normally do not show themselves. However, as soon as the immune system lowers due to an acute respiratory infection, the bacteria may become active. As a rule, this does not require treatment — the urine will just be retested in a week or two, at which point there is a high probability that everything will be fine. ## How to avoid a mistake Another reason why test results are sometimes wrong is when the test is taken incorrectly. For a high-quality and revealing urine analysis, you need to collect midstream urine in a container. What it means is that you need to let the first portion of urine come out, then collect the middle portion, and then "drain" the rest. It is important to remember that red blood cells can increase with intense physical activity, so it is recommended to refrain from training and excessive activity on the day before the analysis ## When to take the test As a rule, bacteriuria (the medical name for a bacterial infection in the genitourinary system) is asymptomatic for quite a long time, and when unpleasant sensations do arise, it is already more difficult to cure the disease. Therefore, even if you feel well, you should regularly (1–2 times a year) take a urine sample.