How is cystitis diagnosed?

A urine sample is given to the doctor, who sends it for testing. A urinary tract infection is deemed to be present when the number of bacteria in the urine rises over a certain threshold (usually more than 100,000/mL).

Lower UTIs are situated in the bladder (cystitis) and upper UTIs also involve the kidneys (urethral syndrome and pyelonephritis). Upper UTIs are more serious, as they affect the kidneys.

The symptoms of bacterial cystitis include: pain on passing urine, frequency of passing urine, cloudy urine, and sometimes blood in the urine. White blood cells may also be present in high levels.

The symptoms of urethral syndrome are: frequency of passing urine and pain on passing urine, with low or no bacterial growth present.