This is only general information on urinary tract infections. For more specific information on UTIs, please select whether your child is:  MALE    or    FEMALE.

An infection involving the urethra, bladder, uterus, or kidneys is called a urinary tract infection (UTI). These infections occur more frequently in women, due to their shorter urethra and the urethral opening being close to the vagina and rectum. Intestinal bacteria present in these locations can easily contaminate the urethra during or after sexual intercourse or when wiping incorrectly after a bowel movement or urination. Men or boys who develop urinary tract infections often have an underlying abnormality, such as prostate disease or enlargement, obstruction from tumors or developmental abnormalities.

Symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Painful and/or frequent urination
• Urgency to urinate
• Back or flank pain
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Fatigue or malaise
• Cloudy or bloody urine, possibly with an abnormal odor

What your doctor can do:

• Diagnose a UTI by asking about your child's symptoms, doing a physical exam, and laboratory tests
• Obtain a urine sample for analysis and culture
• Prescribe antibiotics to  help fight the  infection

What you can do:

• Let your child rest as much as possible, until pain and fever are gone
• Give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol) for fever
• Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids, especially water and cranberry juice. Cranberry juice helps resolve infections
• Follow-up with your pediatrician as instructed; additional urine testing is often needed.

Prevention:

• Avoid holding urine when there is an urge to urinate
• Drink plenty of fluids each day
• Always wipe from front to back after urinating and especially after bowel movements

Contact your doctor if your child's symptoms and fever continue longer than 48 hours after beginning antibiotics, return after completing the antibiotics, or if new/unexplained symptoms develop.

Contact Lake Area Pediatrics at
(936) 582-5620