SELFCheck Urine Infection Test (2 Tests). Urine infections are common types of bacterial infection, typically involving the lower urinary tract and including the bladder and urethra. Urinary tract infection is one of the most common reasons for females between the ages of 16 to 50 to visit their GP. It is estimated that 1 in 3 women will have a urinary tract infection before the age of 24 and half of all women will experience an infection in their lifetime.. The SELFCheck Urine Infection self-test is ideal for detecting urinary infections and prompting those with a positive result to seek prompt advice and treatment. Historically, urinary infections have been treated with broad spectrum antibiotics, but in recent years the use of antibiotics has declined and, instead, sufferers are advised to drink more water in order to flush the urinary tract of the bacteria.. Screening tests are ideal tools for regular screening at home if the user suspects that they may have a persistent or recurrent infection, in which case the user may need to seek further medical advice or a course of antibiotics.. Home test kits allow the user to screen for the presence/absence of chemicals that are excreted in the urine: if the lower urinary tract is infected there is strong probability that protein, nitrite and leucocyte esterase will be detected. These chemicals are not normally found in healthy individuals.. The SELFCheck Urine Infection self-test consists of two test strips, each able to monitor three test parameters: protein, nitrite and leucocyte esterase. The test strip is immersed in a fresh early morning urine sample ensuring that all three test pads are covered by the urine; the test strip is then removed from the sample and held vertically to drain excess urine. After a few minutes the result will appear in the form of visual colour changes to the three test pads.. The level of the abnormal chemicals present in the urine sample will generate varying degrees of colour changes - the greater the colour change the higher the levels of abnormality. SELFCheck home screening tests are ideal for detecting active bacterial infections and, of course, they can be used equally well to test whether or not the infection has passed. Once the infection has passed the three chemicals will no longer be excreted and will not be detected in the urine.. The benefit of carrying out a urine infection screening test in privacy ensures confidentiality as well as providing the necessary incentive needed to take further steps in terms of managing personal health and earlier consultation with a healthcare professional will facilitate earlier medical intervention should further action be needed.. The SELFCheck Urine Infection self-test test is easy to use, requiring only a small sample of fresh urine collected in a clean container (free of bleach/disinfectants) to perform the test and a visual result is available in less than 5 minutes.. A simple home test that checks for a urinary tract infection.. Why test urine for infections?Urine infections can range from cystitis (a mild but distressing infection) to severe kidney infections. All infections can be potentially serious and require medical attention. Urine infections are 50 times more common in women than men.. Who is the test for?Everyone, but particularly useful for women who are more susceptible to urinary tract infection.. How often should urine be tested for infections?Urine should be checked if the user is experiencing any of the following symptoms:• Frequent need to urinate• Pain while passing urine• Cloudy urine with offensive odour• Pain in the loins, fever or chills. What advice is given if the result if positive?In all cases, users should consult their doctor. No medical decisions should be made without professional advice.