### What is Sterile Pyuria? Sterile pyuria is a condition where there is an excess of white blood cells in the urine but no bacteria are present. This can be due to various reasons, including infections that are not bacterial, medical conditions, or even physiological changes in the body. ### Causes of Sterile Pyuria **Infectious Causes:** - **Recent UTI Treatment:** Sometimes, after treating a urinary tract infection (UTI) with antibiotics, sterile pyuria can occur within two weeks. - **Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs):** In sexually active individuals, infections like Chlamydia trachomatis can cause sterile pyuria. - **Atypical Infections:** Conditions like renal tuberculosis can also lead to sterile pyuria, especially in immunocompromised individuals. **Non-Infectious Causes:** - **Radiotherapy:** Treatment involving the urinary tract or pelvis can cause sterile pyuria. - **Inflammation:** Conditions like appendicitis, especially if the appendix is close to the bladder, can lead to sterile pyuria. - **Physiological Changes:** Pregnancy or post-menopausal changes can also be a cause. - **Underlying Diseases:** Conditions like HIV can cause sterile pyuria. ### Symptoms Common symptoms include cloudy urine, nausea, vomiting, bladder pain, fever, chills, discharge, and abdominal pain. ### Diagnosis and Treatment Your doctor will take your medical history and may send your urine sample for culture. Additional tests like blood tests or imaging studies may also be done. **Treatment:** - **Antibiotics:** If a UTI is diagnosed. - **Antifungal Medications:** If a fungal infection is suspected. - **Treating Underlying Conditions:** If sterile pyuria is due to another medical condition like hypertension or Kawasaki disease. ### Importance of Treatment If left untreated, sterile pyuria can lead to complications, including the spread of infection to other parts of the body, which can be life-threatening. Always seek professional medical advice if you experience symptoms of pyuria.