Negative UTI culture does not mean you don't have a UTI

After my initial UTI culture came back negative, I spent about two months in constant pain and endured unnecessary tests that included an ultrasound of my kidneys, a vaginal ultrasound, and a vaginal culture. Finally, my OB/GYN decided to retest my urine about 6 weeks after the initial culture by my PCP "just to be sure" I didn't have an infection, and low and behold it came back very positive. One weekend I even had a low-grade fever with no other symptoms, which probably meant that it spread to my kidneys. I think my body was trying its best to fight off the infection but couldn't win the battle. I found this article, which absolutely confirms that you can have an infection and have a negative culture come back: Women-with-symptoms-of-a-urinary-tract-infection-b.pdf