Diagnosing Urinary Tract Infections: Urine Culture vs. Blood Tests

Question
If a urine specimen shows the presence of nitrites and leukocytes, what is the next procedure for diagnosing infection; should a culture be done first or should a blood test be done? Should both be done? I would appreciate knowing a website that would tell me the protocol that doctors use to identify the presence of infection--particularly if the patient appears to be asymptomatic.

Answer
Hi Margaret,
With this information, I would do a urine culture next. A blood test won't tell you anything. Nitrites and leukocytes are hallmarks of a urinary tract infection. Just because there are no symptoms, it doesn't mean that there isn't an infection.