Will a uti affect a pregnancy test

I thought I might be pregnant, but the test was negative. I was feeling bad and went to the doctor, who said I had a kidney infection and gave me antibiotics. I am feeling worse now. I have a fever, feel very sick and do not think the antibiotics are working. I still have not had my period. — K.S., by email

A: If you are continuing to have burning on urination, fever and back pain, then go back to your physician. A bladder infection should clear up with antibiotics, but you have to be concerned if the symptoms are present.

It is possible for the physician to prescribe antibiotics before the bacterial culture of the urine is completed. Once the full culture results are available the doctor can decide if a different antibiotic therapy is needed and order a different medication. You need to complete the entire course of antibiotic therapy ordered, unless changed by your doctor.

If the symptoms on urination have improved, it is possible that you have two infections: a urinary infection for which the antibiotics are helping and a viral infection, like the flu, which the antibiotics would not help. The flu season is just ending, and the number of reported individuals with the flu has decreased but not ended. If you are able to maintain your fluid intake, it may just take time for the viral infection to clear. If not, then you should make another visit to the doctor.

But, it has been about seven weeks since your last menstrual cycle, and the flu-like symptoms might not be the flu at all. Did you mention the possible pregnancy when you saw the doctor?

False negative pregnancy tests may occur if you use the over-the-counter product too soon. Many of the tests suggest that you can use it a day after a missed period. Whether the test is accurate that quickly is debated because it measures the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin in the urine. HCG is produced by the uterus when a fertilized egg attaches. As the blood level increases, HCG is excreted in the urine. The results are dependent on the test picking up smaller amounts of HCG in the days after implantation of the fertilized egg occurs. If you tried the home pregnancy test very early, then you might want to repeat it. It is unlikely that any medications or infections would impact the accuracy of the test.

Can a bladder infection affect the results? I found no indication that the bladder infection would make a difference. But one reference indicated that very dilute urine might affect the results. For example, if you were drinking a lot of water during the day then the concentration of HCG might be lower in the sample you tested. Most pregnancy tests recommend that you use urine collected first thing one morning. Perhaps blood work is recommended. Blood tests for levels of HCG measure the amount of the hormone circulating in the blood stream.

If your tests continue to be negative (blood and urine) and you have not started your period then talk with your doctor. There are several things that can impact your menstrual cycle from stress to strenuous exercise to illness. Your physician can help identify the cause and the appropriate management strategies.

Send your health questions to Debbie Jackson, Ph.D., MN, Clemson University, 302 Sikes Hall, Clemson, SC 29634-5155 or email [email protected]

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UTI During Pregnancy: Is It Dangerous?

In this Article

• What is a UTI?
• Symptoms
• How is it diagnosed?
• Treatment
• How UTI affects pregnancy
• Prevention
• FAQs

A urinary tract infection can develop in any part of a person’s urinary system, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Women have a greater risk of getting UTIs because of their shorter urethra, which allows bacteria to reach the bladder more easily.

What is a UTI? 

A urinary tract infection happens when bacteria colonize the areas through which urine exits the body. During pregnancy, the chance of getting these infections increases due to changes in the urinary tract and immune system.

As your fetus grows, your uterus expands. This puts pressure on your bladder and ureters (the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder). Under pressure, the urinary tract may become blocked and unable to drain urine properly. Pregnancy hormones may also cause the relaxation of smooth muscles, which can result in urine retention.

In this situation, bacteria can readily grow and thrive throughout the urinary tract, causing an infection.

What are the signs of UTIs? 

Some people who get a UTI in pregnancy may not experience any overt symptoms. For others, UTI symptoms can appear quickly.

Here are some of the most common UTI symptoms during pregnancy to look for:

• A burning feeling when you’re urinating
• Cloudy urine
• Urinating more frequently
• Strong urge to urinate
• Unusual urine odor
• Pain in the lower abdomen and lower back
• Fever and chills
• Nausea
• Painful sex 

These symptoms often indicate a UTI. If you experience any of them, talk to your health care provider to ensure that your pregnancy is managed safely.

How is a urinary tract infection diagnosed?

If you suspect a urinary tract infection, visit a health care provider as soon as possible. At the medical facility, the health care provider will request a urine sample for testing.

First, your provider will observe the appearance and smell of your sample. A normal urine sample should be clear and slightly yellow. If you have an infection, your urine will most likely have an odor and appear cloudy.

To pinpoint the kind of bacteria responsible for the infection, the provider will use medical technology to examine your urine and a blood sample.

How is a urinary tract infection treated?

After a health care provider determines the cause of your symptoms, they can propose the appropriate treatment for UTI in pregnancy.

Most patients receive antibiotics during pregnancy for UTI. These antibiotics are mainly antimicrobials from two specific groups — penicillins and macrolides. These include amoxicillin, azithromycin, and erythromycin.

Other drugs (fluoroquinolones and sulfonamides, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, nitrofurantoin, and cephalosporins) can pose health risks to a baby. It’s important to steer clear of them. Your health care provider will prescribe one of the safe drugs depending on the kind of infection and any allergies you may have.

You’ll need to take the antibiotics for three to seven days, depending on the prescription. Most symptoms will disappear in one to two days, but your health care provider will still instruct you to take the drugs until the prescription is gone to ensure the bacteria don’t become resistant to treatment.

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Can a UTI affect pregnancy?

Other than anemia, urinary tract infections are the most common condition experienced during pregnancy.

Thankfully, with prompt treatment, the infection can be stopped. Some people develop asymptomatic infections that can spread within the body without any unusual sensations.

These asymptomatic UTIs can negatively affect the health of the fetus. Scientists have conducted studies that show these kinds of UTIs lead to pyelonephritis — an infection of the kidneys.

This condition affects your health and the health of your baby. Bacteria can release substances called endotoxins, which can lead to anemia, prompt uterine contractions, and potentially prevent labor.

Pyelonephritis can cause low birth weight. Sometimes, babies whose mothers had advanced, untreated UTIs experienced delays in mental development.

In rare cases, a UTI and pregnancy can influence the risk of miscarriage and even infant mortality.

So, can a UTI affect pregnancy? Simply put, yes.

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Preventing UTIs

To encourage the best experience for you and your baby during pregnancy, it’s important to prevent bacteria from causing an infection in your urinary tract.

Nobody can completely rule out the chance of getting an infection, but you can do a few simple things to shift the odds in your favor.

You can prevent UTIs by:

• Keeping properly hydrated, drinking at least eight glasses of water a day
• Urinate at least once every two to three hours to empty your bladder 
• Wiping from front to back whenever you go to the bathroom
• Urinating before and after sexual intercourse
• Avoiding douching
• Taking showers instead of baths
• Wearing loose-fitting pants
• Wearing cotton underwear

Frequently asked questions on UTI and pregnancy

For the many people who experience UTIs in pregnancy, plenty of questions may arise.

Here are some of the most common ones, with answers that provide some insight into the relationship between these infections and pregnancy.

Can a UTI affect a pregnancy test?

A pregnancy test is designed to detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone is produced by the placenta when a fertilized egg implants into the uterine wall.

Infections and their byproducts, however, cannot cause the body to produce this hormone. If you have a UTI and become pregnant, talk to your health care provider for guidance.

Can a UTI be a sign of pregnancy?

A urinary tract infection isn’t a sign of pregnancy. However, engaging in unprotected intercourse can cause some infections that might coincide with pregnancy.

Can a UTI be mistaken for a pregnancy?

Early in your pregnancy — especially in the first trimester — you may notice some signs that could point to a UTI. These include fatigue, frequent urination, back pain, and nausea. Bad cramps during early pregnancy can also feel similar to the cramps you’d have with an infection.

A health care provider can help rule out an infection or pregnancy since there are shared signs.

Can a urinary tract infection prevent pregnancy?

If an infection goes untreated, it can affect your kidneys. Your kidneys remove waste from the body, and they can’t do their job properly if they are infected. This can disrupt other body functions, including ovulation.

As a result, some people with untreated UTIs may not conceive.

Key Takeaways 

Developing a UTI during pregnancy is common because of the numerous changes happening in your body.

These changes can allow bacteria to thrive in your urinary tract. These bacteria can proliferate quickly, spreading the infection.

If the infection reaches the kidneys, it can cause inflammation or pulmonary complications. If you suspect you may have a UTI, contact your health care provider for testing and treatment.