What is a urinary tract infection?

A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection in the bladder (where the body holds urine) or kidneys.

What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?

• Your child may feel the need to urinate often even though only a little urine comes out.

• Your child may feel a burning sensation when she urinates.

• Blood in the urine

• Foul-smelling urine

• Abdominal pain or vomiting

Home care

Your child should be evaluated in our office. Please call our office today for an appointment.

Medications:

• If we prescribe medication, have the prescription filled right away and give the medication as directed.

• Give your child all of the medication we prescribe even if she feels better.

• Not giving all of the medicine may result in return of an infection that is harder to treat.

Pain:

• Soaking in a warm tub several times a day for 10 minutes can soothe the discomfort.

• Pour water over the private parts when urinating to soothe the burning.

• Use acetaminophen (Tylenol®, Tempra®, or Panadol®) or ibuprofen  (Advil®, Motrin®) for pain and discomfort. Avoid ibuprofen if your child  is dehydrated or unable to take anything by mouth.

• Follow the package instructions to determine the appropriate dose by your child’s WEIGHT or age for acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

• Do not use aspirin because of the increased risk of Reye’s Syndrome with certain infections.

Fluids:

• Give plenty of liquids.

• Fluids will help make the urine less concentrated and it will hurt less when urinating.

Prevention:

• Girls should wipe carefully from front to back after using the toilet.

• Make sure your child drinks lots of fluids.

Warning signs – Call our office for advice if:

Your child develops pain or blood in the urine after 2-3 days of taking medication, Call Our Office Now.

Your child develops a fever, please refer to the fever page.

Your child vomits the medicine, Call Our Office Now.

Your child does not urinate in a 12 hour period, Call Our Office Now.

Your child has any signs of dehydration such as no tears while crying, dry lips and mouth, fewer wet diapers (around 6 per day is normal), or sunken eyes, Call Our Office Now.

You have any questions or concerns, or if you have any doubts about the severity of your child’s symptoms, Call Our Office Now.