FASTSCREEN | Self-Stik - Urinary tract infection test strip (25 tests) | Monitor urinary tract infections

Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common condition, which includes urethritis (infection of the urethra), it is characterised by obvious symptoms and possible recurrence. If not being treated properly, UTI may lead to serious consequences.

Symptoms
- Frequent urination - urinate frequently with only a small amount of urine passed each time
- Pain or burning sensation when urinating
- Urine is cloudy and may even contain blood
- Lower abdominal pain (near the pubic bone), indicating bladder infection
- Fever, lower back pain, nausea and vomiting may indicate possible kidney infection

Why women are more vulnerable to UTI?
Compared with men, women are more vulnerable to UTI. It is mainly due to the differences in their biological structures,

- Length of urethra
Men's urethra is about 15 cm long, and women's is only 5 cm. Thus, bacteria can reach the bladder more easily and then reflux towards the kidneys.

- Stimulation by sexual intercourse
Penetration of the penis not only stimulates the genitals but also brings bacteria from the vulva into the female urethra.

- Opening of urethra
Men's urethral opening locates at the tip of the penis, and women's is at the vulva adjoining the vaginal opening and is also close to the anus and enclosed by the labia majora and minora. If the vulva is unclean or if wiping is made from the anus to the vulva (back to front) after using the toilet, the urethra is susceptible to infection by bacteria at the vulva, vagina or anus.

Periods prone to infection
Pregnancy: the uterus enlarges and presses the bladder, making the latter unable to empty completely
Menopause: weakening of immunity

Test principle
LEUKOCYTES:
This test reveals the presence of granulocyte esterases. The esterases cleave a derivatized pyrazole amino acid ester to liberate derivatized hydroxy pyrazole. This pyrazole then reacts with a diazonium salt to produce a beige-pink to purple color.

NITRITE:
This test depends upon the conversion of nitrate to nitrite by the action of Gram negative bacteria in the urine. In an acidic medium, nitrite in the urine reacts with p-arsanilic acid to form a diazonium compound. The diazonium compound in turn couples with 1 N-(1-naphthyl)- ethylenediamine to produce a pink color.