When Your Child Has a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

What Is the Urinary Tract?

The following body parts make up the urinary tract:

• Kidneys filter waste from the blood and make urine.

• Ureters carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

• The bladder stores urine.

• The urethra carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.

What Causes a Urinary Tract Infection?

Most UTIs are caused by bacteria that enter the urinary tract through the urethra. The urinary tracts of boys and girls are slightly different. The urethra is shorter in girls. This makes it easier for bacteria to enter. As a result, girls are more likely than boys to get UTIs.

What Are the Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection?

• If your child has a UTI affecting the bladder (cystitis), symptoms can include:

  • Painful urination

  • Frequent urination

  • Urgent need to urinate

  • Blood in the urine

• If your child has a UTI affecting the kidneys (pyelonephritis), symptoms are similar to those of a bladder infection. They can also include:

  • Fever

  • Abdominal pain

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Cloudy urine

How Is a Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosed?

• The doctor asks about your child’s symptoms and health history. Your child is examined.

• A lab test, such as a urinalysis, is done. For this test, a urine sample is needed to check for bacteria and infection. If a UTI is suspected, the doctor will likely start treatment even before lab results come back.

• If your child has severe symptoms, other tests may be done. You’ll be told more about this, if needed.

How Is a Urinary Tract Infection Treated?

Give your child plenty of fluids when treating a urinary tract infection.

• Symptoms of a UTI generally go away within 24 to 72 hours of starting treatment.

• The doctor will prescribe antibiotics for your child. Make sure your child takes ALL of the medication even if he or she starts feeling better. 

• You can do the following at home to relieve your child’s symptoms:

  • Give your child over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to manage pain and fever. Do not give aspirin to a child with a fever. This can put your child at risk of a serious illness called Reye’s syndrome.

  • Ask your doctor about other medications that can be prescribed to relieve painful urination.

  • Give your child plenty of fluids to drink.

Call the doctor if your child has any of the following: Symptoms that do not improve within 48 hours of starting treatment A fever that goes away but returns after starting treatment Increased abdominal or back pain Signs of dehydration (very dark or little urine, excessive thirst, dry mouth, dizziness)

 

How Is a Urinary Tract Infection Prevented?

• Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids.

• Encourage your child to empty the bladder all the way when urinating.

• Teach girls to wipe from the front to back when using the bathroom.