The Difference Between UTI and STD Testing
If you’re unsure about the difference between UTI and STD testing, this blog is for you. When symptoms overlap between UTIs and STDs it can be confusing - but we’re here to explain the difference and why testing for one will NOT give you false positive results for the other.
What’s the difference between a UTI and an STD?
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, happens when a bacteria called E.coli enters the urinary tract. The infection can then spread throughout the urethra, bladder and kidneys if left untreated. A UTI is not contagious and cannot be passed between sexual partners.
On the other hand, sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are highly contagious. They can be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites.
Some of the most common STDs include:
Bacterial: chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis
Viral: HIV and herpes
Parasites: trichomonas vaginalis (or trich)
How do I know if it’s a UTI or an STD?
It can be confusing to know whether you’re dealing with a UTI or STD, especially when they can present with similar symptoms.
UTI and STD symptoms can overlap, including:
Needing to pee frequently and/or urgently
Pain or burning when peeing
Strong smelling urine
Cloudy or dark-coloured urine
Pelvic pain
These symptoms are all typical for a UTI but also common in cases of chlamydia. Although many people with chlamydia are asymptomatic, it can cause urinary problems that mimic a UTI - which is why it’s important to get tested properly.
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Can a UTI urine test detect STDs?
You might be wondering how the testing works and whether a UTI will show up on your STD test, or vice versa. The short answer is, no - each test is looking for a different type of bacteria or virus.
How does a UTI test work?
A typical UTI test will involve giving a urine sample at the doctor's office. Your sample is then sent to a lab where it’s tested using either a dipstick or cultures. The dipstick (or UTI test strip) is used to look for signs of infection, whereas a culture looks specifically for e.coli to confirm the presence of a UTI.
The MyUTI test is different: we analyze your sample for the top 12 symptom-causing UTI pathogens, check for antibiotic resistance and provide treatment recommendations. For more on the differences between testing options, download our UTI testing guide.
How does an STD test work?
STD tests can require a urine sample, swab and/or blood sample, depending on what kind of infection you’re testing for. Urine and genital swabs are most often used to detect bacterial infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, bacterial vaginosis and syphilis - whereas blood samples can identify viruses and parasites. Herpes testing also requires a swab of the genital area that has an active lesion or outbreak.
Like a UTI test, your STD sample will be sent to a lab and put through testing to look for specific types of bacteria or viruses that specifically identify different STDs.
What about false positive STD results?
You may be wondering: can a UTI cause a false positive chlamydia test? Or perhaps: can herpes cause a positive UTI test? It is a little confusing - but remember, these tests are looking for specific types of bacteria or viruses to identify different types of infection.
When getting tested through your doctor's office, you can ask to clarify the type of test being ordered as part of your exam and the specific culprit they are looking to identify.
The good news? STDs won’t show up on a UTI test, just as a UTI won’t give you a false positive STD result.
What should I do if I suspect I might have an STD?
Even if you don’t have any symptoms, it’s important to get tested for STDs regularly to avoid them going undetected. Schedule a wellness visit with your gynecologist or regular doctor to get testing, you can also look into online options through NuRx.
