Patient education: Asymptomatic bacteriuria (The Basics)

What is asymptomatic bacteriuria? — 

This is when there are more bacteria than normal in a person's urine, but the person does not have symptoms of infection.

Urinary tract infections, or "UTIs," also involve bacteria in the urine. But they do cause symptoms and require treatment. UTIs can affect either the bladder or the kidneys (figure 1). Symptoms can include pain or a burning feeling when urinating, needing to urinate often or suddenly, and blood in the urine. Kidney infections can also cause fever, back pain, and nausea or vomiting.

Both asymptomatic bacteriuria and UTIs involve bacteria in the urine. The difference is people with asymptomatic bacteriuria do not have symptoms. Also, people with UTI symptoms need treatment with antibiotics, but most people with asymptomatic bacteriuria do not. Asymptomatic bacteriuria usually goes away on its own, and does not lead to problems.

Is asymptomatic bacteriuria common? — 

Yes. It is more common in females, older people, and people with certain medical problems. It is also common in people who use a urinary catheter. This is a thin plastic tube that is placed into the urethra if a person cannot urinate normally.

Is there a test for asymptomatic bacteriuria? — 

Yes. A urine test can show if there are bacteria in your urine. But most people who don't have any symptoms don't need this test.

You might find out you have asymptomatic bacteriuria after a urine test if you are pregnant or are planning to have surgery on your urinary tract. Sometimes, people learn they have it when getting a urine test for another reason. But it is not usually necessary to check a person's urine for bacteria if they have no symptoms of a UTI.

Do I need antibiotics? — 

Probably not. Most people with asymptomatic bacteriuria do not need any treatment. But some do. That's because in certain cases, the bacteria could lead to an infection and cause problems.

Your doctor will probably treat you with antibiotics if you are:

●Pregnant

●Planning to have certain types of surgery involving the urinary tract or genital area

Otherwise, and if you do not have any symptoms of a UTI, you don't need antibiotics.

Why don't I need antibiotics? — 

Most people with asymptomatic bacteriuria do not need antibiotics. This is because:

●Bacteria in the urine often go away without treatment.

●If you don't have any symptoms, antibiotics will not change your overall health or make you feel better. They also won't lower your risk of getting a UTI in the future.

●Antibiotics can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

●Using antibiotics when they are not needed can lead to "antibiotic resistance." This is when bacteria change so that antibiotics cannot work on them.

Can asymptomatic bacteriuria be prevented? — 

No. There is no proven way to prevent it. Most people who have it don't even know, since it does not cause any symptoms and usually goes away on its own.

More on this topic

Patient education: Urinary tract infections in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Urinary tract infections in pregnancy (The Basics)
Patient education: Urine culture (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use a catheter to empty the bladder in males (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use a catheter to empty the bladder in females (The Basics)
Patient education: Lowering the risk of a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (The Basics)
Patient education: What you should know about antibiotics (The Basics)

Patient education: Urinary tract infections in adults (Beyond the Basics)