What does pyuria mean?
Pyuria is the presence of pus in the urine, most commonly associated with inflammation or infection somewhere in the urinary tract. It is usually identified through urine microscopy or a urine test strip, often by detecting white blood cells that indicate an immune response. Pyuria can accompany conditions such as urinary tract infections and interstitial nephritis, but it is not specific to any single disease. The term is especially useful in describing a clinical finding that may be either symptomatic or asymptomatic: a person can have pyuria without reporting pain or other obvious urinary symptoms. It is therefore distinct from dysuria, which means painful urination, and hematuria, which means blood in the urine. In medical writing, pyuria is commonly paired with qualifiers such as asymptomatic or sterile to clarify whether infection is the suspected cause.
nounThe presence of pus in the urine, usually as a sign of inflammation or infection in the urinary tract.
- The presence of pus in the urine, typically associated with inflammation or infection of the urinary tract.
"The test detected pyuria, prompting the clinician to investigate a possible urinary tract infection."
"Urine microscopy showed pyuria, consistent with a urinary tract infection."
"Asymptomatic pyuria can occur without obvious urinary symptoms and requires clinical interpretation."
Rare in general use, but used when referring to multiple instances or recorded occurrences of pyuria.
"The study compared the pyurias observed before and after treatment."
Pyuria is a microscopic clue: finding pus in urine can reveal inflammation even when symptoms are mild or absent.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pyuria come from?
Pyuria was formed in the early 19th century from New Latin or Greek elements meaning “pus” and “urine.” The form belongs to a family of medical vocabulary built on Greek roots, including pyogenic, meaning “producing pus.” Its components have been used independently in medical terminology for centuries, with purulent providing another related English word in this semantic field.
Related word forms
How pyuria is actually used
This is a formal medical term used mainly in clinical reports, laboratory results, and medical literature. It describes an abnormal finding rather than a symptom by itself, and its presence does not identify the cause.
Easily confused with pyuria
Pyuria is the presence of pus, whereas hematuria is the presence of blood in the urine.
Pyuria is a laboratory finding involving pus in the urine, while dysuria is the symptom of painful urination.