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The increased bacterial flora in the urine test is usually a consequence of situations that alter immunity, such as stress or anxiety, or be due to errors during collection, which is not a cause for concern, and only the doctor recommends the repetition of the test.
However, in some cases the increase in bacterial flora can also be indicative of urinary infection and, therefore, it is important that the exam is evaluated by the urologist or gynecologist so that the most appropriate treatment can be indicated if necessary.
The main situations in which an increase in bacterial flora can be seen in the urine test are:
1. Stress and anxiety
Stress and anxiety are factors that can lead to an imbalance of bacterial flora and favor the proliferation of microorganisms, because they directly interfere with the functioning of the immune system, decreasing its activity. Thus, it is possible to notice an increase in the amount of bacteria in the urine, which happens in order to prevent possible infections.
What to do: If the increase in bacterial flora occurs due to stress or anxiety, it is important that strategies are adopted that help to relax, as it is possible to regulate the bacterial flora and promote the feeling of well-being.
Thus, it is recommended that the person rest, practice physical activity or relax activities, such as meditation and yoga, and have a healthy diet that helps to strengthen the immune system. Check out other tips to relieve stress and anxiety.
2. Inadequate hygiene
Inadequate hygiene of the genital region before the urine is collected for examination can also lead to the appearance of increased bacterial flora in the urine. This is because, even though the medium urine stream was collected, the microorganisms naturally present in the genital region were not effectively eliminated and, thus, they can be released in increased amounts in the urine:
What to do: In this case, it is necessary to confirm that the alteration in the exam was due to inadequate hygiene at the time of collection and, therefore, it is recommended to repeat the exam, since the person washes the genital region with water and mild soap before performing the gathering.
3. Sample contamination
Sample contamination is a major cause of increased flora in the urine test and occurs when there are errors at the time of urine collection for the test, either due to the collection of the first stream of urine or the lack of proper hygiene.
In the examination of type 1 urine, to be considered contamination of the sample, in addition to the increase in bacterial flora, an increase in the amount of epithelial cells and the presence of mucus must be noted in some cases.
What to do: If the doctor confirms that the result of the urine test indicates contamination of the sample, a repeat test is requested and it is important that the person follows the collection recommendations, such as washing the genital region and collecting the medium stream of urine, this way it is possible to prevent contamination. See more information about urine test collection.
4. Urinary infection
The increase in bacterial flora can also be indicative of urinary infection, and an increase in the amount of leukocytes and epithelial cells in the urine is observed in the urine test, in addition to red blood cells, mucus and positive nitrite in some cases.
The urinary infection caused by bacteria that are part of the normal flora of the genital region happens when there is an imbalance in the immune system, which allows excessive proliferation of these microorganisms, which can lead to the appearance of signs and symptoms in some cases. Learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of urinary tract infection.
What to do: If changes in the examination are found that are indicative of urinary infection, it is important that the examination is evaluated by the doctor who requested the examination or by the urologist or gynecologist, as it is thus possible that the examination of the examination is indicated. urine culture with antibiogram to identify the microorganism responsible for the infection and the antibiotics most suitable for treatment. Understand what the urine culture test with antibiogram is.