Are you experiencing a burning sensation while urinating or cloudy urine? These symptoms can be an indication that there is a high amount of pus cells in urine. If there is a high volume of pus cells in urine, it can lead to infection, inflammation, kidney stones or other urinary tract conditions. As per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), approximately 50% of women experience a bladder infection once in her lifetime.
If you are experiencing the same symptoms, then consultation with the best nephrologist in Jaipur helps you know what the underlying cause may be.
What Are Pus Cells in Urine?
Pus cells (also known as Pyuria) in urine are usually white blood cells (WBCs). These cells help to protect the body and the internal organs against infections and inflammation. A smaller number of white blood cells can be normally found in urine. However, if your urinalysis report shows a higher volume of pus cells, it means the WBCs are responding to an infection or inflammation within your urinary tract.
Pus cells may originate from the kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra or prostate gland in men. It is also important to note that pus cells are not a disease by themselves. Instead, a rise in these cells indicates that your body is responding to a condition.
What Is the Normal Range of Pus Cells in Urine?
Pus cell counts between 0–5 pus cells per high-power field (HPF) are seen in routine urine test reports of people who do not have any underlying disease. Values above this range are usually an indicator of infection or inflammation in the urinary tract or renal system. The following is a quick chart of the normal range and higher range of pus cells in the human body:
| Pus Cells Count | Possible Meaning |
| 0–5/HPF | Normal Range |
| 6–10/HPF | Mild Elevation |
| 10–20/HPF | May indicate a UTI or urinary tract inflammation |
| More than 20/HPF | Requires medical assessment to identify the underlying cause |
| High count with fever or back pain | May be associated with a kidney infection or a more severe urinary tract infection |
Is the Normal Range Same for Men and Women?
The normal range of pus cells is typically the same for both men and women. However, the urine test results may be interpreted differently based on how the sample is collected and whether the symptoms are present.
Among women, urine samples may sometimes be contaminated by vaginal secretions during collection. As a result, the report may indicate a higher pus cell count without any severe infection. To prevent such occurrences, women are recommended to clean the intimate area with specific wipes before sample collection. In men, a rise in pus cells is usually connected with Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) or prostate-related infections.
Common Causes of High Pus Cells in Urine
There are 8 primary causes of high volume of pus cells in the urine, which can lead to infection in the urinary tract. Here is a brief look at each of them:
1. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection in the urinary system. It is mainly caused when bacteria such as E.coli enter the urethra and travel into the bladder. This infection further affects the bladder, urethra or kidneys.
2. Kidney Infection
A Kidney Infection (also known as pyelonephritis) develops when an infection spreads from the lower urinary tract to the left or right side of the kidney or both kidneys. Since kidneys are directly related to the production of urine, inflammation in these organs directly results in a significant increase in pus cell count in urine.
3. Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are a medical condition where hard mineral deposits accumulate inside your kidneys. These mineral deposits develop when your urine is concentrated with crystal-forming substances such as calcium, uric acid, oxalate and phosphate. Over time, these microscopic crystals precipitate, aggregate and grow into solid, pebble-like structures. Such microscopic crystals affect kidney function and may trigger an inflammatory response and a spike in WBCs in the renal system and increase pus cells in urine.
4. Poor Urine Sample Collection
An improper urine sample collection may affect the urine microscopy findings. Sometimes it may happen during the sample collection that cells from the skin or genital area may mix with the specimen and increase the number of cells seen under the microscope. To prevent such instances, healthcare professionals recommend a clean-catch midstream urine sample for a more precise result.
5. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
STIs are infections passed from one person to another through any form of sexual intercourse. This condition may cause inflammation in the urinary and genital tracts and attract white blood cells to the affected tissues. As a result, it leads to an increase in pus cell count in urine.
6. Prostate Infection in Men
A prostate infection (Also known as bacterial prostatitis) is an inflammation of the prostate gland among men caused by bacteria travelling from the urinary tract or bloodstream. Because the prostate is closely linked with the urinary system, inflammation within this gland can lead white blood cells to enter the urinary tract and result in a spike in pus cell count in urine.
7. Diabetes or Low Immunity
Diabetes raises UTI risk mainly through elevated glucose, which lets bacteria grow more easily. Along with that, low immunity and infections in the urinary tract become harder for the body to fight off, and pus cell counts tend to keep coming back as a result.
8. Sterile Pyuria
Sterile Pyuria means that a high volume of pus cells is present in the urine, but a urine culture test has not detected bacterial growth. This condition may commonly occur due to the recent intake of antibiotic medicines, viral infection, tuberculosis that affects the urinary tract, autoimmune disease, etc.
Symptoms Associated with Pus Cells in Urine
High pus cell count in the urine is often found in people with kidney stones, UTI or any other urinary tract disorders. Depending on the underlying cause, the symptoms may include:
- Burning sensation while urinating (dysuria)
- Frequent urination
- Urgent need to urinate
- Cloudy urine
- Foul-smelling urine
- Lower abdominal pain or pressure
- Blood in the urine (hematuria)
- Fever or chills
- Back or side pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Weakness, fatigue, or a general feeling of illness
Note: High pus cell count in your medical reports accompanied by fever, back pain, vomiting, blood in urine or reduced urine output may indicate a more serious urinary tract condition. If you experience any of these, consult a urologist as soon as possible.
Can Pus Cells in Urine Affect the Kidneys?
Pus cells in urine do not always mean kidney inflammation is involved. A mildly elevated count can result from temporary inflammation elsewhere in the urinary tract, without the kidneys being affected at all. Kidney involvement becomes a concern when the underlying cause reaches the upper urinary tract.
Certain conditions raise this risk further, including recurrent UTIs, kidney stones, an obstruction or diabetes. If your pus cell count stays high over repeated tests, or comes with fever or back pain, it should be evaluated by the best nephrologist in Jaipur to identify the underlying cause.
How Are Pus Cells in Urine Diagnosed?
The pus cell count in the urine is diagnosed through laboratory testing of urine samples, blood tests and imaging tests. Each test has its own significance and here is a brief look at them.
1. Urine Routine and Microscopy Test
The first step in diagnosing pus cell count in urine is using a microscopic analysis. This test helps in measuring the volume of pus cells and evaluates other findings that may help in identifying the cause. Some of these findings include:
- Red blood cells
- Epithelial cells
- Bacteria
- Protein
- Sugar (glucose)
- Crystals
- Urine pH
Together, the above findings give urologists important cues about the infection, inflammation, kidney stones or urinary tract disorders.
2. Urine Culture Test
The urine culture test helps in finding out the bacteria causing the infection and which antibiotics should be effective against them. It can be ordered by the doctor if you are suffering from recurring infections or if the infections do not seem to respond properly to the treatment.
3. Kidney Function Test
The kidney function tests are normally ordered by your doctor if you have pain in the lower back area, particularly the pain localised to one side of the back. This test helps in monitoring serum creatinine and blood urea levels, among other markers, to get a sense of how well the kidneys are filtering blood.
4. Ultrasound KUB
An Ultrasound of KUB (Kidney, Ureter and Bladder) helps to assess the structure of the urinary tract. This ultrasound is commonly used to detect kidney stones, urinary obstruction or other anatomical abnormalities that may cause persistent pyuria.
5. Other Tests If Needed
Additional medical intervention may be required if the cause remains unclear or when a specific condition is suspected. Depending on the clinical findings, your doctor may order an STI screening, blood tests, CT imaging, tuberculosis testing or prostate diagnosis in men.
Treatment for Pus Cells in Urine
What treatment you need depends entirely on what’s causing the pus cells in the first place. Your doctor will look at your symptoms, urine test results, culture reports and any imaging before deciding what to do.
1. Antibiotics for Bacterial Infection
If a bacterial infection is behind it, you’ll be treated with antibiotics. Which one depends on the bacteria found and how severe your symptoms are.
2. Drinking Enough Water
Water helps. Drinking enough keeps urine flowing properly and can flush out some of the bacteria and waste sitting in your urinary tract. But it won’t cure an actual infection on its own. If a test confirms infection, you still need medicine for it.
3. Treatment for Kidney Stones
This one comes down to size and location, mostly. Small stones often just pass out on their own, no real treatment needed. But bigger stones, or ones blocking urine flow, causing infection, or causing a lot of pain, usually need a procedure to remove or break them up.
4. Treatment for Kidney Infection
Kidney infections aren’t something to wait out. They affect the upper urinary tract, so treatment needs to start quickly. Antibiotics are the go-to here. And if things are severe, or you’re dehydrated, or there are other complications involved, you may need to be admitted so doctors can keep a closer eye on things.
5. Treatment for Sterile Pyuria
To treat sterile pyuria, doctors will likely order more tests to figure out which one it actually is before deciding on treatment. This condition may be caused due to STI, kidney stones, urinary TB, an autoimmune condition or a reaction to certain medicines.
6. Avoid Self-Medication
Don’t take antibiotics unless a doctor has actually prescribed them for you. Taking them on your own can lead to resistance, meaning they may not work as well the next time you actually need them.
Home Care and Prevention Tips
A few daily habits can lower your chances of dealing with this again. Small changes go a long way here, so keep these in mind:
- Drink enough water throughout the day
- Don’t hold in urine for too long
- Keep the genital area clean
- Urinate after sexual intercourse
- Only take antibiotics when actually needed
- Keep diabetes under control
- Wear cotton underwear, not synthetic
- Finish your full course of treatment
- Get a follow-up urine test done
- Consult a doctor if infections keep coming back
When to Consult the Best Nephrologist?
Some urine test results need more than home care, they need a specialist to look into them. You should consult the best nephrologist in Jaipur if you have any of these:
- Repeated high pus cells in urine
- Symptoms of a kidney infection
- UTI along with fever or back pain
- Burning sensation while urinating
- Pregnancy, along with urinary symptoms
- Vomiting
- Kidney stones with signs of infection
- High creatinine levels
- Protein, blood and pus cells all showing up in urine
- Diabetes with recurrent UTIs
- Reduced urine output
- Swelling in the legs or face
- Any risk of chronic kidney disease
Symptoms like these are worth taking seriously, not brushing off as a passing infection. Book a consultation with the best nephrologist in Jaipur to find out exactly what’s causing them and get the right treatment started before it affects your kidneys further.
FAQs About Pus Cells in Urine
Q1. What is the normal range of pus cells in urine?
A urine test typically stays within normal limits at 0 to 5 pus cells per high-power field.
Q2. Is 8–10 pus cells in urine serious?
Not on its own. It falls into a mildly elevated range, and whether it needs attention usually depends on whether symptoms are present as well.
Q3. What does 15–20 pus cells in urine mean?
At this level, an active infection or inflammation is the likely cause, and evaluation is generally recommended.
Q4. Can pus cells in urine go away naturally?
Sometimes, if the cause is mild and temporary. When an infection is behind it, though, treatment is usually needed for it to clear.
Q5. Do pus cells always mean a UTI?
No. Sterile pyuria is one exception, where pus cells appear in urine without any infection being present.
Q6. Can a high number of pus cells damage the kidneys?
It’s possible, mainly in cases where an untreated infection spreads upward into the kidneys.
Q7. Which doctor should I consult for pus cells in urine?
A urologist is the usual starting point, with a nephrologist brought in if kidney involvement is suspected.
Q8. What test confirms the cause of pus cells in urine?
A urine culture and sensitivity test is the standard way to confirm it, and imaging is sometimes added for a clearer picture.
