Urinary Tract Infection
Your child has been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (UTI).
We hope the following pages will be helpful in providing you with the education and resources you need to support your child from home.
What is a UTI?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection involving any part of the urinary system. Urinary tract infections are commonly referred to as 'bladder infections'. However, UTI can refer to infection involving the bladder as well as the kidneys, ureters, and urethra.
Symptoms of Viral URTI
The symptoms of a UTI can include:
- fever
- more frequent urination
- more urgency when needing to pee
- pain or burning with urination
- foul-smelling urine
- cloudy urine
- blood in urine
- abdominal pain
- back pain
- nausea and/or vomiting
- new onset of urinary incontinence
What to do at home
Click below for information on ways to help at home.
Track your child's symptoms
Keep track of your child's symptoms and document details you feel are important. For example, you may want to track any urinary symptoms, pain and how often and how much your child is peeing. You may also want to keep track of any medications given and whether this helped.
Help your child stay hydrated
It is important to ensure your child remains well hydrated by offering fluids containing not only water but sugar and electrolytes (e.g., breastmilk or formula in infants, electrolyte drinks in older children). Staying hydrated keeps your kidneys functioning well. WebMD - Treating Dehydration in Children
Fever and pain management
To help reduce fever or pain, you can give your child
acetaminophen (Tylenol) and, if your child is older than 3
months, ibuprofen (Advil), so long as your child does not
have allergies or other reasons not to take these
medications.
Unless your doctor advises you otherwise, give the dose
recommended on the medication package.
Safe Acetaminophen Dosing for Infants and Children
Mount Sinai - Ibuprofen Dosing for Infants and
Children
Practice good hygiene
Although it may not prevent every UTI, ensuring good hygiene can help. In females, always clean away from the urethra, wiping "front to back" to avoid accidentally transferring bacteria to the urethral opening.
Manage constipation
Constipation can impact the bladder's ability to empty fully. Therefore, especially in older children, it is important to avoid constipation by ensuring adequate fluid and fibres. For more information on constipation management, check out the following: Paediatrics@home - Constipation
Medical Therapy
If you have been seen by a medical professional, they may have treated your child with medications. Click below to learn more about these medications.
A. Antibiotics
Since urinary tract infections are commonly caused by
bacteria, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic. Please
follow the instruction provided by the physician and on the
prescription.
Stop the antibiotics if you think your child is having an
allergic reaction, with symptoms such as rash, wheezing and
shortness of breath, diarrhea or vomiting. Otherwise,
complete the full course of antibiotics and do not stop them
just because your child is feeling better.
When to seek medical attention
Here are some signs that, if present, should lead you to seek immediate medical attention for your child:
- fever in a child under 3 months of age
- fever lasting more than 48-72 hours since your child was last seen for fever
- worsening symptoms such as increasing pain or blood in urine
- excessively sleepy, lethargic, or not responsive child
- excessively cranky, fussy, or irritable child
- poor intake leading to dehydration (dry mouth, sunken eyes, no tears, dark urine, no urine for more than 8-12 hours)
Follow Up
Please follow up with your primary care provider unless instructed otherwise. Of course, if you feel your child needs immediate medical attention, please do not hesitate to call 911 or bring them to your closest emergency department.
We hope this has been useful. Thank you for using Paediatrics@home!