Does anybody know whether pharmacies here sell over the counter UTI tests? Will they know if I ask for it in english or is there a german term for it that I need to know?
Thank you!
NB
Hello,
Assuming you have basic health cover, wouldn't it be best just to pop into a Dr or Urology Clinic / Dept and get this checked out ? If it isn't a UTI, you will at least know what it is and treated...If it is a UTI, you will also get treated.
It's not always convenient for me to go to the doctor's office so I wanted to just do a quick check on my own.
I am sure any Chemist can advise...Sorry, I do not know.
No, there is no such thing to my knowledge. You have to go to the doctor and get it properly tested - you'd have to go there anyway to get the antibiotics as those are THANKFULLY not sold over the counter here. I once ignored a UTI and ended up in hospital in agony a few days later, the infection had gone to the kidney area.
But, and this is just my personal thing I do and cannot be relied on as medical advice, nor do I accept any responsibility for your actions, I now use Urotib from the Stadelhofen pharmacy when I feel that a UTI is on the way but not yet acute. I take about five capsules with a half litre of water and then keep drinking nettle tea like crazy, another five capsules of the Urotib a few hours later and that usually clears it up completely. For me. A friend of mine takes the stuff as prevention and has had great success with it - she used to get UTIs on an almost bi-weekly basis.
A UTI home test? How is this even accurate?
Blood and proteins can show up from a number of other conditions. Also, when you see a doctor for a UTI test, they prescribe an antibiotic and then send your urine off to be tested with that particular antibiotic and a number of others.
This ensures you've been prescribed an antibiotic to which your specific bacteria/infection won't be resistant.
I had some long ago - try asking for 'Blasenentzündung Test Streifen'. Sure, going to the Doctor's might be the better way, but for those who get a lot of infections, it is a guideline as to whether to ask for an urgent appointment or whether to try the Bärentraubentee just as a precaution. Doesn't taste nearly as good as Preiselbeere (cranberry?) juice, but is much cheaper.
The name of the test kit is Monulab which you can get at most chemists I think.
...and a web site.
You learn something new every day
I think the important point with these tests is that no-one here is trying to avoid going to the doctors to get the condition treated, just checking if it is really the start of an infection or just irritation which can produce similar symptoms - after a hard day on the bike for example.
If it shows a 'false positive' and one goes to the surgery, the real 'culprint' can be sorted out.
When our daughter was prone to UTIs, we got a bunch of diagnostic strips from the chemist. We got them with a prescription, but that's just so the insurance would pay. I think you can get them without.
The German word for a UTI is Harnwegsinfekt.
Good luck, no fun.
hiii For UTI, its better to go for diagnostic tests like urine routine or urine culture.. Its necessary ....in urine culture , if the test come positive thn they will mention the antiobiotics as per the bacteria...
You can order them online here- http://hometestforyou.de/shop/index....8e1ea86ef02db5
It's in English too, means I don't have to struggle explaining what I want in a pharmacy, might have to resort to miming They do various other tests too if you fancy a fun night in, or a party with a difference
Good luck!
The only reason you should have these tests at home is if you frequently have UTIs and know exactly what to do because you have seen a doctor about it. Unfortunately, I am perfectly able to comment on people in this situation.
I have a stock of urine test sticks, not specifically for UTIs. All it says on it is "Combur Test HC", and I bought it at the pharmacy (on advice of my doctor). They can tell you how to read it.
As others have mentioned, there can be many reasons for blood in the urine etc, so I would really only suggest this to someone who has already seen a doctor about a recurring problem.
Also - don't diss antibiotics! People are shocked when I tell them I took low-dose antibiotics for 3 months, but I've gone from getting a UTI every 2 weeks to not having one since I started taking the antibiotics (and I've been off them since June). I cannot stress strongly enough the importance of seeing a doctor, and if it's only a one-off anyway, of course it's the first port of call. You shouldn't self-medicate unless you've been taught how to.
Isn't a UTI home test a bit something like this:
Go to toilet
Pee
If it hurts/stings go to Dr
If you get them frequently, sometimes you can feel them coming on. Sometimes it's a sensation that goes away, but sometimes it's not. A test can help you determine whether or not you should take anything.
So there you go - updated:
Pfff, amateurs...back in the days I got some cranberry juice and went on my way...I see how times have changed.