What is the likely diagnosis for Katie who has dysuria and pyuria?

• A. Kidney stones
• B. Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• C. Cystitis
• D. Pyelonephritis

Answer: (B)

Dysuria with pyuria points to an infection anywhere along the urinary tract. Pyuria means white blood cells in the urine, signaling inflammation from an infectious process, and dysuria reflects irritation of the urethra or bladder during urination. The most likely diagnosis is a urinary tract infection, which encompasses infections of the bladder (cystitis) and the urethra. In the absence of systemic symptoms like fever or flank pain, a simple lower-tract infection is most probable. If there were fever, back or flank pain, or tenderness, you’d worry about a kidney infection (pyelonephritis). Cystitis is a local bladder infection and is a type of UTI, but referring to the broader UTI best captures the typical clinical picture of dysuria with pyuria.