Contamination

Check and manage Contamination

A urine test can report squamous epithelial cells, which are flat cells from skin or nearby tissue. Higher numbers often mean the sample mixed with skin cells or vaginal fluid.

Your clinician may compare this result with bacteria, white blood cells, and symptoms. A repeat clean catch urine sample can help clarify the result.

Monitoring matters because contamination can blur a urine test result. A cleaner repeat sample may help your care team decide if testing should be repeated or reviewed further.

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We can help you check and manage squamous epithelial cell levels in your urine result.

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What is Contamination?

You may feel worried when a urine result says contamination. This usually means the sample picked up cells from outside the urinary tract.

Large numbers of squamous epithelial cells often point to collection issues, not a disease by themselves. Your care team can explain the result in context.

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Symptoms

A lab note that says many squamous epithelial cells.
A urine sample marked contaminated or mixed flora.
No symptoms, since contamination is a sample issue.
Burning, urgency, or pelvic pain may need separate medical review.

Causes and risk factors

Skin cells entering the cup during urine collection.
Vaginal secretions mixing with the urine sample.
Not cleaning the area before collecting urine.
Touching the inside of the cup or lid.
Starting the sample too early in the urine stream.
Menstrual blood or discharge entering the sample.

How it's diagnosed

A urine test can report squamous epithelial cells, which are flat cells from skin or nearby tissue. Higher numbers often mean the sample mixed with skin cells or vaginal fluid.

Your clinician may compare this result with bacteria, white blood cells, and symptoms. A repeat clean catch urine sample can help clarify the result.

Treatment options

Contamination itself usually does not need treatment. The next step may be a repeat clean catch sample, based on your symptoms and clinician guidance.

If other results suggest infection, your clinician may review symptoms and decide whether more testing or treatment is needed.

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We can help you check and manage squamous epithelial cell levels in your urine result.

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Last Name *

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ZIP Code *

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Frequently asked questions

Contamination means the urine sample may have mixed with cells or fluid from outside the urinary tract. It often happens during collection. It does not diagnose an infection by itself.

Squamous epithelial cells are flat cells found on skin and nearby body surfaces. In urine, many of these cells often suggest the sample picked up outside cells. Your clinician reads this with the rest of your results.

A high level is usually a sample quality clue, not a danger sign by itself. It may mean the urine sample was not clean enough for clear interpretation. Symptoms and other test findings matter.

Reference ranges can vary by lab and sample type. A low amount may be expected, but a larger amount can suggest contamination. Ask your clinician how your lab defines the range.

Your clinician may suggest repeating the test if contamination could affect the result. A repeat sample can give a clearer look at bacteria, blood, and white blood cells. Do not ignore symptoms while waiting.

Follow the collection steps from your care team or lab. Clean the area first, start urinating, then catch urine midstream. Avoid touching the inside of the cup or lid.

Contamination can make a urine result harder to read. It may blur bacteria results or lead to mixed growth in culture. Your symptoms help your clinician decide the next step.

Contact a clinician if you have burning, fever, back pain, blood in urine, or worsening symptoms. Also ask if your result says contaminated and you are unsure what to do. Prompt review can help avoid delays.