White cells in urine - infection - what does white cells mean?

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Took in urine sample this morning and have had very short conversation with doctor on telephone who informed me that they found white cells in urine which indicate infection. Does anybody know if white cells are just bacteria or something more sinister. Doc has prescribed some antibiotics which dh has just gone to collect. Anybody else with urine infection and what symptoms do you have?. Im 38.5 weeks pregnant so any pains down below I have attributed to pressure on the bladder from you know who. And again my backache and general tiredness I've just associated with the baby. Feeling generally crap and quite depressed. Hopefully the antibiotics will do the job. Grateful for any experience you can pass on.

[Mud]

aren't the white cells what fights the infection

hang on a sec will search for you

[Mud]

here you are

{that was easy)

[tab]

Thankyou mud. that was very efficient. My search on internet didnt prove very successful. I first associated them with blood cells but thought that couldnt be right. Hopefully its just an infection that will go away soon with a bit of help.

[Mud]

I googled on 'white cells in urine'

[QueenEagle]

The presence of white cells indicates you have an infection. The amount depends upon the severity of the infection.

[happymerryberries]

White cells always used to be called white blood cells as that is where they are usualy found. However if yu are injured or have an infection, they leave the blood system to go to the site of the infection/damage to help to sort out the problem. So now they are called , more accuratly, white cells

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Thanks for that happymerryberries - that explains my confusion. And thank you Queen Eagle. I will go and investigate my antibiotics now!

[Kelly1978]

I had this and they took another sample first to be sure, as it can be a little bit of vaginal fluid which has contaminated the sample. My 2nd sample was a lot lower.

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

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Thanks for your comments, irishbird, kelly19 78 and happymum of 2. This is actually the result from the second sample. The first they thought might be protein contamination and so they took another to check for sure and see if that was it. Im sure they're right that there is some infection. Ive been feeling crap and am eager to get rid of it - having heard infected kidney stories. Ive taken two tablets now so Im committed! Thanks everyone.