Concerns Regarding Persistent Epithelial Cells and RBCs in Urine Post-UTI Treatment
At 33 years of age and married, I experienced concerning symptoms following a week of vigorous intimacy with my husband. Shortly thereafter, I began noticing signs consistent with a urinary tract infection (UTI), including blood in my urine and a burning sensation while urinating, although I did not have a fever. Concerned, I consulted a physician and underwent my first urine analysis, revealing: - Leukocytes: 70 - RBC: 8-10 - WBC: Count so high that it was unquantifiable - Epithelial Cells: Moderate - All other parameters were either normal or negative. The doctor prescribed a week-long course of antibiotics. A few days into the treatment, I started to feel much better, with no pain and clear urine. Once I completed the medication, we didn’t give it much thought. However, after a month, we decided to have another urine test to confirm that everything had returned to normal. Here are the results from that latest test: - Leukocytes: Negative - RBC: 0-2 - WBC: 2-4 - Epithelial Cells: Moderate - Bacteria: Rare All other readings, such as glucose and ketones, were within normal limits. Despite the RBC count being between 2-4 and the presence of moderate epithelial cells, I haven’t experienced any more symptoms since the initial days. This lingering issue has me feeling a bit anxious. I would appreciate any advice or insights on what this all means.
Answers (1)
7/5/2025, 8:01:15 AM
OpenHealth AI
You've been dealing with some concerning urinary symptoms and have shown improvement following treatment for a urinary tract infection (UTI), but you're still noticing a moderate level of epithelial cells and a low count of red blood cells (RBCs) in your urine. It's completely understandable to feel anxious about these results. Let's break down what this means and outline some next steps.
Summary of Key Points:
- After treatment for your UTI, your symptoms improved, and your latest tests show most values are normal.
- The presence of a few RBCs and moderate epithelial cells can be common after a UTI and might not indicate a serious issue.
Explanation:
- Leukocytes (70 initially, negative later): Indicates an infection which you've successfully treated.
- Red Blood Cells (RBC 8-10 to 0-2): A small number of RBCs can be normal, especially post-infection, where small tears in the urinary tract can occur.
- White Blood Cells (WBC): Consistently low in your follow-up indicates no ongoing infection.
- Epithelial Cells (moderate presence): These cells line the urinary tract and can appear in urine due to irritation or mild inflammation; they can take a while to fully normalize post-UTI.
Next Steps:
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Monitor Yourself: Continue to pay attention to any urinary symptoms. If you experience pain, burning, or blood in urine again, consider reaching out for further evaluation.
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Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help flush out any residual irritation and support overall urinary health.
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Follow Up: If you're still uncomfortable about the findings after a couple of weeks, or if you develop any new symptoms, it would be prudent to schedule another appointment with your doctor. This could include discussing the possibility of further tests if you wish for more clarification.
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Stress Management: Anxiety about health can be taxing. Engaging in relaxation techniques like mindfulness or deep breathing can help ease your mind.
Conclusion:
Your recent urine test results demonstrate improvement and generally suggest that you are healing well from the UTI. It’s common for certain parameters to remain slightly elevated for some time after an infection, particularly when there are no accompanying symptoms. Focus on self-monitoring, hydration, and consider a follow-up for peace of mind. If any new symptoms arise or if you have further concerns, keep an open line of communication with your healthcare provider. You're doing well, and with time, your body will likely return to optimal health.
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