To think the nurse is wrong and it’s not a normal urine sample?!

[Gggapp]

Nurse did a dipstick into a urine sample while at the GP surgery. She said it showed white blood cells so would be sent off for testing.

She said this is probably normal?! Surely white blood cells equal infection?

It could also be contamination from vaginal discharge.

What makes you doubt the qualified health professional?

no. Lots of things can cause urine to have white cells in it.

Easily contaminated , if nothing else shows then should be fine. Wait for the lab result and don’t worry noone is being negligent here they’re following guidance while providing you appropriate reassurance.

Of course it's not necessarily an infection. There are lots of reasons to have white blood cells in your urine.

@UpUpUpU if it’s contaminated from vaginal discharge then that means a vaginal infection instead doesn’t it?

Depends if you’re showing any other infection markers I guess.

White blood cells defend the body against infection. I’m sure she has more experience and knowledge, as a nurse than your opinion.

Not at all, we don’t make white blood cells only when there is an infection we have them all the time.

what are your symptoms and worries at the moment?

She has sent a sample for analysis, so I would not worry.
Do you have any symptoms?

There’s a reason they send them off for testing even if she thinks it’s ok, just wait for the results. Struggling to see why you’re frustrated when she’s sent the sample off

No, not at all.
Your blood & vaginal discharge are made up of white blood cells.

A urine sample that's dips positive for white blood cells but no other infection markers is normal.

I’m concerned as due to have an interview on Monday morning but the result won’t come back until Tuesday apparently. I would have liked the antibiotics in case

Urine dipsticks are notoriously in accurate anyway. If you have symptoms they should be treating you for a uti regardless of what the dipstick shows. That is the current NHS guidelines but alot if clinicians are not up to date.
Interestingly I was also told a have a normal dipstick results but when I requested my records it showed blood which is not normal. I ended up with a chronic embedded uti because of this. Don't be fobbed off.

@Wafflemeister thanks so much. Don’t suppose you know the link to the guidelines so I can contact them and ask for treatment. I have a huge interview on Monday and feel incredibly stressed about this

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cystitis/
https://cutic.co.uk/what-is-chronic-uti/urine-testing/

This is an easy flow chart to follow if you are female and between 16-64 - note none of the steps are check a urine dipstick.

The flow chart is different for over 64, but again is based on symptoms not dipsticks.

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PRN00936_ii_Pharmacy-First-Clinical-Pathways-v.1.6.pdf

What symptoms do you have? Sometimes self care such as drinking lots of water will flush away any irritation. You do not necessarily need antibiotics depending on symptoms.

White cells are not necessarily indicative of infection. On dip an infection is often detected by nitrites but not all sticks test for it.

If you get no luck you maybe be able to get antibiotics from an online pharmacy.

@Wafflemeister thank you. I asked for a prescription for over the weekend and she said they didn’t do that anymore! It’s just frustrating as I’m not wanting to take antibiotics I just need to be able to focus on other things the next few days rather than faffing around booking more appointments - easier to have the prescription to hand. Does this guidance mean they have to or they can choose to? I wonder if they will argue their practice doesn’t do that

Pharmacists are now allowed to prescribe a short course of antibiotics for a UTI. Go in to a pharmacy, ask to speak to the pharmacist because you think you have a UTI. They will assess your symptoms and prescribe as necessary.

@FigurativelyDying thanks, won’t that be passed to my GP practice though

Yes, I think so. I know they ask who your doctor is, so I think they must notify them about the prescription. Would that be a problem though? If you need the antibiotics anyway?

She's sending it off for testing. What's the issue?

Do you have any symptoms? Or are you wanting antibiotics in case you do get them?

Taking antibiotics when you don't actually need them is a pretty bad idea, hence why it's been sent off to check.