A urinalysis is one of the least expensive, yet very useful diagnostic tests. This analysis is used to detected the presence of any harmful chemical of other unexpected substances in the urine. For example, the urine test can detect substances such as glucose (diabetics), blood (kidney problems), crystals (kidney stones) and also pus cells that indicate some kind of infection in your body.
Pus Cells in Urine
- The presence of pus cells in the urine indicates an ailment in the body. In medical parlance, passage of pus cells in urine is called Pyuria.Pyuria can be microscopic or gross. With large number of pus cells, the urine may appear turbid or it may be purulent.
- Pus cells are white blood cells that signify infection in the body, especially if the urine also contains bacteria.
- Presence of pus cells in the urine may also be a sign of infection or inflammation in the kidneys and bladder. Since the urine has to pass through the kidneys and the bladder, it may pick up some pus cells from there before voiding.
- The mere presence of pus cells in the urine may not clearly indicate what type of infection or ailment the patient is suffering from.In such cases, urine test for culture and sensitivity is of great help.
- Further blood tests may be requested to check for certain levels of components and compounds in the blood.
Symptoms of Pus Cells in Urine
There may no be any visible and obvious outward symptom of pus cells in urine. However, some of the common symptoms are:
- Painful, burning sensation when urinating
- Abdominal cramps
- Fever
- Vomiting
It is critical to identify these symptoms at an early stage so appropriate diagnosis and treatment can be administered.
Causes of Pus Cell in Urine
Possible causes of the presence of pus cells in urine include:
- Kidney infection
- Bladder infection
- Infection in urethra
- Inflammation due to presence of bladder stones or kidney stones
- Immune disorders
- Allergies or growths anywhere along the genitourinary system
Predisposing factors contributing pus cell in urine:
- Unhygienic habits
- Sexual intercourse with an infected person suffering from sexually transmitted disease (STD)
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Sexual perversions
- Use of catheter
- Cancer of either urinary organs or the genital organs
- Use of steroids and immune-suppressant drugs for a long time. This lowers the immunity which may result in recurrent urinary tract infection and pus cells in urine
- Enlarged prostate in men
Treatment of Pus Cells in Urine
- Treatment for this condition will depend upon what underlying cause the diagnostic tests reveal. There would be different treatment plans for the varying underlying causes listed above.
- Most of the time, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to help control infections, if these are the cause of the pus cells.
- If the pus cells are due to inflammation because of kidney or bladder stones, then these stones must first be dissolved or removed from the body, before other treatment is provided.
- Drinking enough water and fluids helps in expelling the pus cells out of the urinary system. Drinking alkaline mixture can give symptomatic relief from burning sensation while urinating. However, fluids by themselves will not eradicate the infection. For treating pus cells in urine, specific antibiotics are needed.
Large numbers of pus cells are found in my urine report. I have taken antibiotic as well as homeopathic medicine but there is no relief. Sometimes there is burning sensation while passing urine. What may be the reason?
There are several reasons responsible for pus in urine. It needs to be extensively investigated, especially if it is persistent in large number. It can be urinary tract infection, a stone in the urinary system, there can be a growth in the urinary tract etc. Urine culture, X-ray KUB, CT scan of kidney, Ureter and bladder, sonogram of urinary tract are few tests that can help in detecting presence of any abnormalities. Check your blood sugar level. If you have uncontrolled diabetes, control it with medicines. Drink cranberry juice, plenty of water, coconut water etc as it helps to flush out the germs and correct urine pH.
If urine analysis shows presence of pus cells with count equal to15-20 pus cells and crystals of calcium oxalate what is the reason? My doctor advised me to take antibiotic (ciprofloxacin type). I am still getting pain in my abdomen.
I want few more information. What is the red cell count (RBC Count) in urine analysis? Is it for the first time you are suffering from this problem. Plenty of pus cells in urine indicate urinary tract infection. However, it may be associated with a kidney or bladder stone. Check your urine again after you have finished the course of antibiotics. If pus cells persist in large quantity, you may need to do sonography of kidney, ureter and bladder to rule out stone as a cause. Meanwhile drink coconut water twice in a day. Cranberry juice is also effective in treating urinary tract infection along with the prescribed medicines.