What It Is

A routine urine culture detects the amount of germs (microorganisms like bacteria) present in the urine.

Once a urine sample is collected, a technician will keep it in conditions where microorganisms can multiply. Normally, no more than a small number of germs will be in the urine if there's no infection. If a larger number of germs are present, the technician will use a microscope or chemical tests to determine the specific types growing in the culture. The technician also may run tests to determine which medications will be most effective against the microorganism if the doctor diagnoses an infection.

Why It's Done

A urine culture is used to diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI) and see what kinds of germs are causing it. The doctor may order a urine culture if your child:

  • complains of a painful sensation when peeing
  • feels the urge to pee frequently but doesn't produce much urine (also called urgency)
  • has a fever of without a clear reason or has abdominal pain
  • has a routine urinalysis that is abnormal, especially if it shows a high number of white blood cells
  • has completed a course of treatment for a UTI, to see if the infection is gone

Preparation

No preparation other than cleansing the area around the urinary opening is required for the urine culture. Tell your doctor if your child is taking antibiotics or has taken them recently.

The Procedure

Collecting the sample should only take a few minutes. Your child will be asked to pee into a sterile sample cup in the doctor's office. If your child isn't potty trained and can't pee into a cup, a catheter (a narrow soft tube) may need to be inserted into the bladder to obtain the urine specimen.

The skin surrounding the urinary opening has to be cleaned just before the urine is collected. In this "clean-catch" method, you or your child cleans the skin around the urinary opening with a special towelette. Your child then urinates into the toilet, stops momentarily, and then urinates again into the collection container. Catching the pee in "midstream" is the goal. The container shouldn't touch your child's skin. Be sure to wash your hands and your child's hands before and after this process.

Sometimes it's preferable to collect a sample first thing in the morning after your child wakes up. If this is the case, you may be asked to help your child with the test at home. You'll take the sample to the lab, where a technician will test it for the presence of germs. Follow any storage and transportation instructions the lab gives you.

What to Expect

Because the test involves normal urination, there shouldn't be any discomfort as long as your child can provide a urine sample. (There may be temporary discomfort if a catheter was inserted to collect the urine.) It's important to keep the area around the urinary opening clean before the test and to catch the urine sample midstream.

Getting the Results

The results of the urine culture will be available in 1-3 days. Your doctor will go over the results with you and explain what they mean.

Risks

No risks are involved when providing a sample for a urine culture. If a catheterized specimen is required, it may cause temporary discomfort. You can discuss any questions you have about this procedure with your healthcare provider.

Helping Your Child

Urinating to provide the specimen for the test is usually painless. Ease your child’s fears by explaining how the test will be conducted and why it's being done. Make sure your child understands that the urinary opening must be clean and the pee must be collected midstream.

If You Have Questions

If you have questions about the urine culture, speak with your doctor.

Back to Articles

Related Articles

Blood in the Urine (Hematuria)

Hematuria is pretty common, and most of the time it's not serious. Find out what causes blood in the urine and what to do about it.

Read More

Blood in the Urine (Hematuria)

If your child has blood in the urine, don't panic. Most of the time it's not serious. Find out what causes it and what to do about it.

Read More

Urine Test: Automated Dipstick Urinalysis

Automated dipstick urinalysis results may point to a urinary tract infection (UTI) or injury, kidney disease, or diabetes.

Read More

Urine Test: Dipstick

A urine dipstick test is often done as part of an overall urinalysis. The results of this test can help doctors diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI), kidney disease, diabetes, or a urinary tract injury.

Read More

First Aid: Pain With Urinating (Peeing)

When it hurts to pee, a urinary tract infection (UTI) is usually to blame. But there are other causes. Here's what to do.

Read More

Kidneys and Urinary Tract

The kidneys perform several functions that are essential to health, the most important of which are to filter blood and produce urine.

Read More

Movie: Urinary System

Watch this movie about the urinary system, which produces pee.

Read More

Urinary Tract Infections

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common reasons that teens visit a doctor. Learn about the symptoms of UTIs, how they're treated, and more in this article.

Read More

Your Urinary System

You pee every day, but what makes it happen? Find out in this article for kids about the urinary system.

Read More

Getting a Urine Test (Video)

If your doctor wants a urine sample, he or she means pee. It's easy to give a sample. Watch how this test is done in this video for kids.

Read More

Urine Test (Video)

This video shows what it's like to get a urine test.

Read More

Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections and Related Conditions

Recurrent urinary tract infections can cause kidney damage if left untreated, especially in kids under age 6. Here's how to recognize the symptom of UTIs and get help for your child.

Read More

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in kids. They're easy to treat and usually clear up in a week or so.

Read More

Kidneys and Urinary Tract

The bean-shaped kidneys, each about the size of a child's fist, are essential to our health. Their most important role is to filter blood and produce urine.

Read More

Urine Tests

Is your child having a urine culture or urinalysis performed? Find out why urine tests are performed, and what to expect when the doctor orders them.

Read More

Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.